Katharine Lee Bates and the
Story of America the Beautiful
From Sea to Shining Sea
America the Beautiful may be America’s most beloved song. But few know about the fascinating life of the writer behind it.
This film explores the rich life of poet, professor and social reformer Katharine Lee Bates, author of AMERICA THE BEAUTIFUL. As we approach the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, Bates’ story reminds us of the beauty and ideals of our nation as well as its shortcomings, and honors the unbroken chain of Americans striving to live up to those ideals.
In a time of deep division, this film aims to inspire unity and reflection, celebrating the beauty of our nation while acknowledging its flaws and the ongoing journey to fulfill its promises.
Inspired by the sweeping vistas of the Great Plains and Rocky Mountains she saw from Colorado’s Pike’s Peak in 1893, Bates penned lyrics that reflect both a love for her country and a desire for reform, while honoring generations of Americans striving toward its its most compelling ideals.
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Hundreds of still photos, archival film clips, beautiful watercolors and stunning contemporary footage bring to life the dramathistorical events that shaped Bates’ thinking, including the Civil War, the suffrage movement, the Gilded Age, the 1893 Chicago World’s Fair, immigration to America, the Spanish American War, the Lawrence textile strike of 1912, and the First World War. COMING SOON!
Who produced the film?
The team behind From Sea to Shining Sea includes award-winning filmmakers, producers, and historians with decades of experience in PBS documentaries and impactful storytelling. Together, they bring unmatched expertise and a deep commitment to honoring Katharine Lee Bates’ legacy.
“O beautiful for spacious skies,
For amber waves of grain,."
For purple mountain majesties ...
Above the fruited plain
America! America! God shed His grace on thee,
And crown thy good, with brotherhood, from sea to shining sea!”
— Katharine Lee Bates, 1893
Let the message of this wonderful song reverberate from sea to shining sea!
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