How did American English become distinctly American? In this episode of "In Pursuit of Happiness," Judy Woodruff explores the 250-year evolution of the language we speak with linguists Anne Curzan and Valerie Fridland. From revolutionary-era spelling changes and regional expressions to the many accents and dialects that shape the country today, they examine how American English has been transformed by history and culture and what the way we speak tells us about our identity as a nation.

PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

Music has long been one of America's most influential cultural exports. In this episode of "In Pursuit of Happiness," Judy Woodruff talks with music historian Ted Gioia and journalist Sidney Madden about the Black and Indigenous roots of American music, the power of protest songs and how music continues to shape our understanding of who we are.

PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

What makes America's National Parks so special? In this episode of "In Pursuit of Happiness," Judy Woodruff talks with longtime RV traveler and public lands podcaster Jason Epperson to explore the remarkable history of the National Park System and the stories behind some of the nation's most iconic parks. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

From the American Revolution to today, conspiracy theories have been part of the American story in ways that may surprise us. In this episode of Judy Woodruff's "In Pursuit of Happiness," she sits down with Jesse Walker, author of "The United States of Paranoia: A Conspiracy Theory," to explore how conspiracy theories take shape -- and what they tell us about who we are.

PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

From Benjamin Franklin to The Onion, satire has long been a part of how Americans process politics and power. In this episode of "In Pursuit of Happiness," Judy Woodruff talks to Sophia McClennen of Penn State University and Joshua Johnson of The Onion about the history of satire and its relationship with news and democracy today. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

What can George Washington's life tell us about the country he helped found? In the first episode of her new limited-run podcast, "In Pursuit of Happiness," Judy Woodruff speaks with historian Lindsay Chervinsky about Washington's achievements, contradictions and enduring influence on the American presidency. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

Join PBS News' Judy Woodruff on a limited six-episode journey this summer as our nation celebrates its 250th anniversary. She'll explore the stories behind the milestones of American history and look at some of the culture, places and ideas that have defined us. A companion to her "Crossroads: America at 250" reporting for PBS News, the series will uncover surprising tales from America's past that shed new light on its present. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy