U.S. still feels Ben Franklin's impact

Saturday marks the 320th anniversary of Benjamin Franklin's birth, and "CBS Saturday Morning" breaks down the Founding Father's impact on the U.S. and reigning popularity.

• Jan 17
• 02:44

New book explores Thomas Paine's legacy

A new book is reexamining the legacy of American revolutionary Thomas Paine, best known for his work "Common Sense." Author and Harvard University professor Danielle Allen joins CBS News to discuss.

• Jan 12
• 03:44

Walter Isaacson on "The Greatest Sentence Ever Written"

As America approaches its 250th birthday, the bestselling biographer and historian reflects on the message of the Declaration of Independence, and how it is just as vital to us today as it was in 1776.

• Nov 16, 2025

These United States: The Declaration of Independence

As America approaches its 250th birthday, bestselling biographer and historian Walter Isaacson reflects on the message of the Declaration of Independence, and how it is just as vital to us today as it was in 1776.

• Nov 16, 2025
• 02:54

History of gerrymandering in U.S. politics

What does Talleyrand have to do with Texas redistricting and the confrontation over it that's led to bomb threats, the specter of federal law enforcement manhunts, and possible expulsions? CBS News chief Washington correspondent Major Garrett explains.

• Aug 6, 2025
• 02:12

Ken Burns on "Face the Nation"

As the U.S. celebrates 249 years since the signing of the Declaration of Independence, "CBS Evening News" co-anchor John Dickerson spoke with documentarian Ken Burns about his new film on the American Revolution and the importance of telling the story of American history.

• Jul 5, 2025
• 51:43

Ken Burns on how the American Revolution "turned the world upside down"

Filmmaker Ken Burns says the American Revolution created a "new thing called a citizen."

• Jul 4, 2025

Ken Burns on American Revolution's importance

Filmmaker Ken Burns explains the importance of the American Revolution, telling "CBS Evening News" co-anchor and CBS News chief political analyst John Dickerson that he thinks it's "the most important event since the birth of Christ in all of world history." Watch more of his interview Sunday on "Face the Nation."

• Jul 4, 2025
• 01:45

Thomas Jefferson, architect

Thomas Jefferson is revered as America's third president, first secretary of state, and the main author of the Declaration of Independence. What's less well-known is his role as an architect who helped shape the look of early America. An exhibition at the Chrysler Museum of Art in Norfolk, Virginia is exploring that legacy in a very modern way. Correspondent Brook Silva-Braga reports on Jefferson's influence on architecture, and on the upcoming dedication at the University of Virginia – a campus he designed – of a memorial to "enslaved laborers."

• Jan 18, 2020
• 06:52

Treasures of Florence's Uffizi museum

Seven years before America's Declaration of Independence, the Uffizi opened its doors to the public. Containing perhaps the greatest collection of artwork in the world, including masterpieces by Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, Raphael and Botticelli, the Florentine museum holds treasures at every turn. Jane Pauley reports. (Originally broadcast May 19, 2019.)

• Aug 18, 2019
• 01:43

A closer look at the National Archives

"CBS Evening News" anchor and managing editor Norah O'Donnell and "60 Minutes" have spent the last few months going inside the National Archives, learning about the agency that holds not only the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution, but millions of other pieces of important history. Here are some of them.

• Jul 3, 2024
• 02:04

5/5: CBS Evening News

Hawaii on high alert as Kilauea volcano continues to erupt; Handwriting revival is underway in some states.

• May 5, 2018
• 20:22

Voter fraud, suppression and partisanship: A look at the 1876 election

With nine days left until Election Day, many Americans hope the race finishes smoothly — unlike the disputed election of 1876. As the United States celebrated the centennial of the Declaration of Independence, a heated competition between Republican Rutherford B. Hayes and Democrat Samuel Tilden was rife with accusations of voter fraud and suppression. Mo Rocca speaks to historians about how the tight race was eventually decided.

• Oct 25, 2020
• 09:13

Meet the only woman to have "signed" the Declaration of Independence

In what was the middle of the American Revolutionary War, Congress fled Philadelphia and settled temporarily in Baltimore. When they needed somebody to print the Declaration, Goddard was the person to help.

• Jul 4, 2020

Treasures of the Uffizi

Seven years before America's Declaration of Independence, the Uffizi opened its doors to the public. Containing perhaps the greatest collection of artwork in the world, including masterpieces by Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, Raphael and Botticelli, the Florentine museum holds treasures at every turn. Jane Pauley reports.

• May 19, 2019
• 01:42

"Why isn't this guy more famous?": The Founding Father you may have never heard of

Benjamin Rush helped set off the Boston Tea Party and signed the Declaration of Independence at 30

• Sep 22, 2018

Analysis reveals clues about Declaration of Independence copy found in U.K.

Harvard scholars discovered the copy two years ago in an unlikely place: a public records office in England

• Jul 7, 2018

Declaration of Independence or hate speech?

Facebook removed a news page's post of direct quotes from the Declaration of Independence, saying they violated its standards. The mistake was later corrected.

• Jul 5, 2018
• 01:01

Facebook thought Declaration of Independence quotes were hate speech

A Facebook algorithm took down excerpts of the historic document, saying they went "against our standards"

• Jul 5, 2018

Handwriting revival

Some of America’s most important historical documents going back to the Declaration of Independence are in cursive. But for many American school kids, the curly letters are as unreadable as ancient hieroglyphics. Omar Villafranca reports.

• May 5, 2018
• 04:08

Separating U.S. history fact and fiction

Kenneth C. Davis, author of "Don't Know Much About History" and "In the Shadow of Liberty," joins "CBS This Morning" on the 241st anniversary of America's independence

• Jul 4, 2017

Behind what one historian called the discovery of a lifetime

Harvard University researchers say they've discovered a second parchment copy of the Declaration of Independence

• Apr 24, 2017

Researchers find lost copy of Declaration of Independence

Harvard scholars found the parchment in an obscure archive in England

• Apr 22, 2017

​Forgotten American history found in unlikely place

Man discovers storied past of Declaration of Independence in little-known Baltimore landmark

• Jul 3, 2015

What Americans eat and drink for July 4th

Independence Day is a time to celebrate the nation's heritage -- and chow down

• Jul 3, 2015

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