History
Filmmaker Ken Burns Says America Wouldn't Exist Without George Washington
The Rest Is History
The American Revolution’s Biggest Myth With Ken Burns
What was said
"I have to admit, Dominic, that it is exhilarating in the extreme to tell you that in this particular instance, we don't, meaning myself, don't have a country without a single person, and that is George Washington."
Renowned documentarian Ken Burns, known for bottom-up historical narratives, declares George Washington uniquely indispensable to American independence—a rare acknowledgment of individual historical determinism. Burns credits Washington's humility, military commission resignation, and presidential term limits as setting the precedent for 250 years of democratic transition. He quotes King George III calling Washington 'the most important character of the age' upon learning of his voluntary surrender of power.
Verification status
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- Programme
- The Rest Is History
- Episode
- The American Revolution’s Biggest Myth With Ken Burns
- Clip time
- 42:33
- Original source
- Watch the source segment →
From this episode
The Rest Is History