South Carolina's 250th Anniversary of the American Revolution

The American Revolution

A film by Ken Burns, Sarah Botstein, & David Schmidt

Dr. Walter Edgar & Ken Burns: The American Revolution and South Carolina’s Pivotal Role

This exclusive conversation features renowned South Carolina historian Dr. Walter Edgar and award-winning filmmaker Ken Burns discussing Burns’s latest project, The American Revolution. 

Filmed during Burns’ trip to South Carolina in early 2025, he shares insights into the research, production and storytelling that brought the series to life. Burns and Dr. Edgar also further examine South Carolina’s crucial role in the Southern Campaign. Their discussion highlights key figures and battles, including The Fall of Charleston, The Battle of Kings Mountain and The Battle of Sullivan’s Island. They also explore the deeply personal nature of the conflict, where neighbors and families were divided between patriots and loyalists. Burns and Dr. Edgar also reflect on how the Revolution was both a fight for independence and a civil war that reshaped communities across the South.

Featured Episodes

ETV Classics

  • Why The British Lost The War 1775-1782 | And Then There Were Thirteen (1975): asset-mezzanine-16x9
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    Why The British Lost The War 1775-1782 | And Then There Were Thirteen (1975)

    Dr. Henry Lumpkin examines why the British lost the Revolutionary War (1775-1782).

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    ETV Classics Why The British Lost The War 1775-1782 | And Then There Were Thirteen (1975)

  • First Attack on Charleston | And Then There Were Thirteen (1976): asset-mezzanine-16x9
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    First Attack on Charleston | And Then There Were Thirteen (1976)

    Professor Lumpkin provides background that led into the Battle of Sullivan's Island in June 1776.

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    ETV Classics First Attack on Charleston | And Then There Were Thirteen (1976)

  • Cherokee Campaign | And Then There Were Thirteen (1976): asset-mezzanine-16x9
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    Cherokee Campaign | And Then There Were Thirteen (1976)

    Professor Lumpkin discusses the roles Native Americans played in the American Revolutionary War.

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    ETV Classics Cherokee Campaign | And Then There Were Thirteen (1976)

  • The Capture of Savannah | And Then There Were Thirteen (1976): asset-mezzanine-16x9
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    The Capture of Savannah | And Then There Were Thirteen (1976)

    Professor Lumpkin outlines the British capture of Savannah, Georgia in November, 1778.

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    ETV Classics The Capture of Savannah | And Then There Were Thirteen (1976)

  • The Second Attack on Charleston (1780) | And Then There Were Thirteen (1976): asset-mezzanine-16x9
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    The Second Attack on Charleston (1780) | And Then There Were Thirteen (1976)

    Professor Lumpkin skillfully outlines the events leading to the capture of Charleston in May, 1780.

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    ETV Classics The Second Attack on Charleston (1780) | And Then There Were Thirteen (1976)