Ken Burns and Lin-Manuel Miranda Inspire NYC Students on History

Post by : Mina Rahman

On a brisk afternoon in New York City, numerous high school students gathered at Trinity Church in Lower Manhattan, eager to ponder a fundamental question: “Who tells your story?” The session featured esteemed filmmaker Ken Burns and the creative force behind Hamilton, Lin-Manuel Miranda.

This gathering served as a prelude to Burns’ upcoming documentary project, The American Revolution, a comprehensive six-part series debuting Sunday. The historic setting of the church, where Alexander Hamilton and his wife Eliza are interred, added depth to the discussions.

“Our goal is to tell stories,” stated Burns, seated next to Miranda under the church's soaring ceilings. “While I focus on factual representation, Lin-Manuel has the freedom to invent. Yet, the driving question remains: ‘Who tells your story?’ This invites a broader perspective on storytelling for all.”

The documentary, co-directed by Sarah Botstein and David Schmidt, features a companion book written alongside Geoffrey Ward and utilizes thousands of historic resources. The narrators include a star-studded ensemble like Tom Hanks, Meryl Streep, Morgan Freeman, and Laura Linney, with scholars from diverse historical backgrounds contributing commentary.

Students actively participated as well. Following a clip about the winter hardships at Valley Forge, Shacoy Moodie and Arianna Richards from Equality Charter High School performed an original rap that honored John Laurens, a revolutionary advocate for the rights of enslaved Black people. “They deserve it all/each and every one/they deserve it all,” they chanted, receiving enthusiastic approval from both Burns and Miranda.

The friendship between Burns and Miranda spans about a decade, dating back to a backstage encounter after a Hamilton performance. Despite their age gap—Burns at 72 and Miranda at 45—they share a commitment to using storytelling as an educational tool. Burns’ documentaries are woven into academic syllabi, while Miranda rejoices in the various adaptations of Hamilton staged in schools.

Burns remarked, “It was perfect for Lin-Manuel to join me at Trinity,” referencing the renewed interest in revolutionary themes thanks to Hamilton. Miranda simply added, “When Ken Burns makes a call, you respond with a ‘Yes.’”

Burns stressed the intricate nature of history, encouraging students to challenge conventional narratives while appreciating the founders’ achievements. Responding to a query about George Washington, he noted, “He was deeply flawed, owning hundreds of enslaved individuals while knowing the immorality of slavery; he only freed them later in life. Nevertheless, we wouldn’t have a nation without him.”

Set to premiere shortly before the 250th anniversary of the United States, the documentary comes amid ongoing discussions about how to commemorate the Revolution's legacy. Burns aims for a broad historical narrative that showcases the roles of women, the ramifications of slavery, and the experiences of Native Americans alongside the founders' stories.

During the event, a student probed the connections between historical and contemporary politics. Burns clarified that The American Revolution maintains a neutral stance, exploring political figures from Obama to Biden. It presents America as “dynamic and evolving, inspiring yet flawed,” underscoring historical lessons that inform the present.

Miranda highlighted a key principle from Hamilton: “The contradictions seen in our nation's founding persist, resembling the familial contests among siblings.” Together, Burns and Miranda imparted a resonant truth to the students: history is vibrant, multifaceted, and ever open to fresh narratives.