***Becoming America: Past, Promise, and the Path Ahead at 250 is now sold out. Just before the event, there will be a standby line at The Paramount Theater for those who do not have tickets but wish to attend. Any unclaimed seats will be released to the standby line 15 minutes prior to the event's start time. Waiting in the standby line does not guarantee a seat.***

Democracy360 kicks off with a powerful exploration of the ideals at the heart of the American experiment. Audiences will enjoy an exclusive advance screening from Ken Burns’ upcoming documentary series, The American Revolution, followed by a conversation reflecting on the nation’s founding and what it means today.   

As the United States approaches the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence in 2026, a panel of experts—including some who appear in the film—will ask: What was the Revolution really about? And how do its virtues and contradictions carry into the future? 

This session is produced by the Karsh Institute of Democracy in partnership with The Atlantic, VPM, and the Virginia Film Festival. Introduction by Paul Mahoney, Interim President of the University of Virginia.

Learn more about attending other Democracy360 events this year.

Corporate funding for The American Revolution was provided by Bank of America. Major funding was provided by The Better Angels Society and its members Jeannie and Jonathan Lavine with the Crimson Lion Foundation; and the Blavatnik Family Foundation. Major funding was also provided by David M. Rubenstein; The Robert D. and Patricia E. Kern Family Foundation; Lilly Endowment Inc.; and the following Better Angels Society members: Eric and Wendy Schmidt; Stephen A. Schwarzman; and Kenneth C. Grin with Grin Catalyst. Additional support for The American Revolution was provided by: The Arthur Vining Davis Foundations; The Pew Charitable Trusts; Gilbert S. Omenn and Martha A. Darling; Park Foundation; and the following Better Angels Society members: Gilchrist and Amy Berg; Perry and Donna Golkin; The Michelson Foundation; Jacqueline B. Mars; Kissick Family Foundation; Diane and Hal Brierley; John H. N. Fisher and Jennifer Caldwell; John and Catherine Debs; The Fullerton Family Charitable Fund; Philip I. Kent; Gail Elden; Deborah and Jon Dawson; David and Susan Kreisman; The McCloskey Family Charitable Trust; Becky and Jim Morgan; Carol and Ned Spieker; Mark A. Tracy; and Paul and Shelley Whyte. The American Revolution was made possible, in part, with support from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.