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“An American” (1775-1790)

Benjamin Franklin leaves London and returns to wartime Philadelphia where he joins Congress and helps Thomas Jefferson craft the Declaration of Independence. In Paris, he wins French support for the American Revolution then negotiates a peace treaty with Britain. He spends his last years in the new United States, working on the Constitution and unsuccessfully promoting the abolition of slavery.
Season 1 Episode 2 Length 1:54:59 Premiere: 4/5/22

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Corporate funding for BENJAMIN FRANKLIN was provided by Bank of America. Major funding was provided by David M. Rubenstein. Major funding was also provided by The Pew Charitable Trusts, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, and by The Better Angels Society and its members Jeannie and Jonathan Lavine; University of Pennsylvania; Gilchrist and Amy Berg; Perry and Donna Golkin; Kissick Family Foundation; Deborah and Jon Dawson; Diane and Hal Brierley; McCloskey Family Charitable Trust; Cappy and Janie McGarr; Lavender Butterfly Fund; and Susan and Charles Shanor Charitable Trust.

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Benjamin Franklin

About Benjamin Franklin

Ken Burns’s two-part, four-hour documentary, "Benjamin Franklin," explores the revolutionary life of one of the18th century's most consequential and compelling personalities, whose work and words unlocked the mystery of electricity and helped create the United States.

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Season 1 Episodes

Spanish Version | “An American” (1775-1790)
S1 E4 Length 1:54:59 Premiere Date 4/5/22

Spanish Version | “Join or Die” (1706-1774)
S1 E3 Length 1:55:26 Premiere Date 4/4/22

“An American” (1775-1790)
S1 E2 Length 1:54:59 Premiere Date 4/5/22

“Join or Die” (1706-1774)
S1 E1 Length 1:55:26 Premiere Date 4/4/22

Specials

A Discussion with Mandy Patinkin and Michael Douglas
Length 25:27 Premiere Date 4/1/22

Franklin and Revolution
Length 1:15:12 Premiere Date 3/29/22

Benjamin Franklin and American Diplomacy
Length 56:05 Premiere Date 3/21/22

Franklin and Innovation
Length 59:03 Premiere Date 3/8/22

Franklin and Writing
Length 1:01:26 Premiere Date 3/3/22

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