The Declaration of Independence, The U.S. Constitution and The Bill of Rights represent much more than the words used by America’s Founding Fathers to define a fragile, nascent country. They’re the living, breathing realization of America’s democratic ideal, the bedrock of a society that its people have built over nearly two-and-a-half centuries, and they provide a blueprint that is, was and will be a template for democracy around the world.To celebrate these iconic documents on our nation’s birthday, HBO presents a 45-minute special, directed by Alexandra Pelosi and narrated by David McCullough (John Adams), in which dozens of Americans û from actors and media personalities, to politicians, lawmakers and presidents, to schoolchildren whose future is being shaped by our shared past û read the three founding documents that define our outlook on life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

Originally released by Home Box Office, 2017. Streaming video file encoded with permission for digital streaming by Infobase on July 06, 2017.

Words that Built America (0:54); --Declaration of Independence: Part One (7:13); -- Declaration of Independence: Part Two (2:07); -- United States Constitution: Introduction (0:51); -- United States Constitution: Legislative Branch (2:24); -- United States Constitution: Senate (4:42); -- United States Constitution: Bills (2:03); -- United States Constitution: Powers of Congress (3:06); -- United States Constitution: Section Nine (3:05); -- United States Constitution: Executive Branch (7:24); -- United States Constitution: the Judiciary (2:42); -- United States Constitution: The States (2:16); -- United States Constitution: Amendments (1:03); -- United States Constitution: Debts, Supremacy, and Oaths (1:05); -- United States Constitution: Ratifying (0:45); -- Bill of Rights (4:19); -- Credits: Words that Built America (1:30).