This upcoming weekend is Patriots’ Day weekend. As the birthplace of the Revolution, Massachusetts is at the center of a national movement to acknowledge this historic moment. GBH’s America 250 initiative will feature new content connecting to themes embedded in the American Revolution and the Declaration of Independence. Explore the collection as it evolves from now until July 2026 and beyond.

This is a web edition of GBH's The Deep Dive, a weekly newsletter bringing you the best GBH has to offer.

Sign up here to get it in your inbox.

What to Watch

NOVA: Revolutionary War Weapons

How did a ragtag army defeat the most powerful army in the world to win American independence? Discover the key military technologies that helped propel the colonies to victory, from the Brown Bess musket to the world’s first military submarine in a new film from NOVA here. Check out a pre-show interview and trivia here and this interview that goes behind the scenes.

ANTIQUES ROADSHOW Appraisal

Let’s see how artifacts from the past look today. Watch Joel Bohy’s appraisal of a Lt. Samuel Gerock Revolutionary War archive here.

Lafayette’s Life and Legacies

Examine this particular artifact: a sword brought to America by Lafayette. Learn about Lafayette’s lifelong quest to defend the principles of liberty and equality on both sides of the Atlantic here. The Forum Network also presents a talk about the epochal day of April 19, 1775, when an outbreak of fighting led to the formation of a republic here.

What to Read

American Revolution Book Recommendations

If you prefer books over screens, here you go! The Culture Show invited historian Catherine Allgor on the air to share some of her book recommendations about the American Revolution:

  • A People’s History of the American Revolution: How Common People Shaped the Fight for Independence by Ray Raphael
  • The Boston Massacre: A Family History by Serena R. Zabin
  • This History of Boston by Daniel Dain

Find more selections here.

Were Paul Revere’s Political Cartoons More Influential Than His Midnight Ride?

Here’s an interesting read: The Bostonian is best known for his perilous horseback journey 250 years ago, but scholars say his art helped fan the flames of dissent. Learn more here.

What to Eat

Red, White, and Blue(berry) Pie

Time for a sweet treat! What’s more patriotic than an all-American pie? A pie that’s red, white, and blue – that’s for sure. Instead of baking a birthday cake for America, let’s bake her a pie. Find the recipe here.

Cocktails with Colonial Roots

You need a refreshing beverage to accompany your pie. You can find a couple super simple cocktail recipes that incorporate sweet-tart shrubs from all around New England here.

Where to Go

Weekends with Yankee: “Great New England Adventures”

If you’re looking to get out and about this Patriots’ Day weekend, host and Yankee senior food editor Amy Traverso shares what patriotic festivities you can partake in Lexington and Concord, MA. See a reenactment of the Battle of Lexington, where the American Revolution began. Visit Lexington & Concord with Weekends with Yankee here.

Boston’s Green Dragon Tavern

Looking to hang in the city? The original tavern was a favorite spot of early colonial Americans like Paul Revere and Samuel Adams, revolutionaries who brewed their plans for resistance. Learn more here.

1775: Rebels, Rights & Revolution Exhibit

If you’re looking for more of a museum vibe, join the Massachusetts Historical Society for an exhibition that explores the pivotal events and personal stories that ignited the American Revolution. Learn about the exhibit on The Culture Show here.

What’s Coming Up

From Colony to Commonwealth: Massachusetts and the American Revolution

Stay up to date with America 250 stories from GBH News. From its harbors to its hills, Massachusetts ignited a revolution against the British crown 250 years ago. Our rolling series reveals spectacular stories about that tumultuous path to self-governance here.

2025 Boston Marathon

Patriots’ Day is also shared with the Boston Marathon! Here’s how to stream the race online, where to see runners in person, and what prior winners are taking on the race again. Learn more here.