About the series

Series creator David Rubenstein examines the history of America through some of its most iconic symbols, objects, and places, on location and in conversation with historical thinkers, community members and other experts. Together, they dive deep into each symbol’s history and how its meaning has changed over time, using them as a gateway to understanding America’s past and present.

More Information

Where to watch

Maryland Public Television aired the series on Tuesdays at 10pm.

If you missed an episode, can watch episodes on-demand by clicking the episode number below. 

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Episode 1

Fenway Park

Baseball is America’s pastime and obsession, and no ballpark is more iconic than Fenway Park, home of the Boston Red Sox. The story of a city’s loyalty to its team and love for its ballpark through thick and thin.

Episode 2

The Hollywood Sign

The story of how a real estate advertisement erected in 1923 became an international symbol of fame, fortune and the American dream.

Episode 3

The Gadsden Flag

The “Don’t Tread on Me” flag is such a potent symbol of independence that it has been co-opted by a wide variety of Americans over its long history.

Episode 4

The Cowboy

The cowboy is the quintessential American — fiercely independent, brave and laconic. The episode examines the myths and realities of this archetype, which remains as potent as ever in the 21st century.

Episode 5

The Statue of Liberty

The evolving meaning of this symbol for a “nation of immigrants,” and how it embodies our values and our conflicts, from abolition and women’s suffrage to the treatment of refugees.

Episode 6

The American Bald Eagle

The story of how the American Bald Eagle soared to its vaunted perch in American iconography, a symbol not only of patriotism but also of environmental activism and Native American traditions.

Episode 7

Stone Mountain

As Confederate statues are torn down across the country and the nation wrestles with its past, there are heated arguments about the fate of the Monument at Stone Mountain, Georgia, the Confederate Mount Rushmore.

Episode 8

The Golden Gate Bridge

The Golden Gate bridge is an engineering marvel that symbolizes America’s can-do spirit. Can America continue to execute bold and ambitious infrastructure projects in the 21st century?

Iconic America: Our Symbols and Stories with David Rubenstein is a production of Show of Force, DMR Productions, and WETA Washington, D.C. David M. Rubenstein is the host and executive producer. Maro Chermayeff, Jeff Dupre, Joshua Bennett and Sam Pollard are executive producers for Show of Force. John F. Wilson is e xecutive producer for WETA. Bill Gardner is the executive in charge for PBS. Chris Ullman is producer for DMR Productions. Jonathan Scheinberg, Prisca Pointdujour, Sam Lacroix, Alexandra Nikolchev, Sally Rosenthal, Matthew Horovitz, Lizzie Mulvey and Ken L evis are producers for Show of Force. Kate Kelly is producer for WETA. Rick Van Meter is supervising producer. Allison Hanna is archival producer. Gary Lionelli is composer for the original score. Funding is provided by The Zohar and Lisa Ben - Dov Family through the Luminescence Foundation.