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Liberty's Kids

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PBS (ended 2004)

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Show Summary

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Liberty's Kids was a truly "revolutionary" children's animated series by DIC. For as long as it ran on PBS, Liberty's Kids entertained seven- to twelve-year-olds while introducing them to the exciting stories and people behind the birth of a nation. The program unfurled its historical vignettes through the eyes of two teenage apprentices, Sarah Phillips and James Hiller, who worked in Benjamin Franklin's print shop and discovered first-hand the great adventures of the American Revolution.Benjamin Franklin's wise words and strong principled actions gave guidance to our young heroes, whether he is with them in Philadelphia or writing from across the ocean in France. James Hiller was a 14-year-old apprentice journalist at Ben Franklin's Print Shop. He idolized Dr. Franklin and hoped to run his own newspaper someday. Moses was born in West Africa. After learning the valuable job of smithing, he was able to earn enough money to buy his freedom back. Moses traveled to Philadelphia where he found employment taking care of Benjamin Franklin's printing press. Henri was an eight-year-old street urchin, who had been semi-adopted by Moses and James, who rescued him from a ship. He paid for his room and board by helping out around the print shop and learning how to read and write. Sarah Phillips was a bright 15-year-old girl from England. She helped James and Henri on their wonderful adventures. For a while, she found James' idea of liberty very agitating while working as a journalist to get the Loyalist side of each of James' stories. Liberty's Kids was designed as a 40-part miniseries, run on PBS September 2, 2002 to August 13, 2004. After that, cut-down versions were scattered to commercial stations. The Theme Song is performed by: Aaron Carter and Kayla I see a land with liberty for all Next thing I know the truth will rise and fall That's just the way it goes A word now to the wise The world was made to change Each day is a surprize I'm looking at life with my own eyes I'm searching for a hero to idolize Feeling the pain as innocence dies I'm looking at life through my own eyes I'll take my heart into battle Give that freedom bell a raddle Get my independence signed Declare for it on the dotted line Let Philadelphia freedom ring and patriotic voices sing Red, White and Blue Never give up You represent America! I'm hoping and praying for a brighter day I listen to my heart and I obey How can I see it any other way? I'm looking at life through my own eyesmoreless

Episode Guide

S 1 : Ep 40	We the People	Aired 4/4/03	go Amazon Buy iTunes Buy
S 1 : Ep 39	Going Home	Aired 4/3/03	go Amazon Buy iTunes Buy
S 1 : Ep 38	The Man Who Wouldn't Be King	Aired 4/2/03	go Amazon Buy iTunes Buy
S 1 : Ep 37	Born Free and Equal	Aired 4/1/03	go Amazon Buy iTunes Buy
S 1 : Ep 36	Yorktown	Aired 3/31/03	go Amazon Buy iTunes Buy

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Cast & Crew

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Billy Crystal	John Adams
Whoopi Goldberg	Deborah Samson
Walter Cronkite	Dr. Benjamin Franklin
Aaron Carter	Joseph Plumb Martin
Arnold Schwarzenegger	Baron von Steuben
Kathleen Barr	Henri Richard Maurice Dutoit LeFebrve

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Liberty's Kids Listings

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Fan Reviews (18)

I love Liberty's Kids!

9.0

By selena_cyrus16, Apr 04, 2013

Just a quick review of this great show.

Story: 9/10

Characters: 8/10

Art: 10/10
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right on target

8.0

By KellyJustus, Dec 01, 2012

I think it is very accurect. People have not been taught the true story of America. The American Heritage Series does show the history of this country. With document to back it up which he shows. Look up The American Heritage Series on youtube by David Barton and Wall Builders. People are so uneducated. One guy told me that none of the founding Father's were Christian. but 53 of 56 were Christiand and regulary went to church. Many of them were preachers. It is all very sad. The president said there were other people other than Christians helped to found America. Who? He didn't say because it is not true. Christian founded America so that everyone could worship God in anyway they wanted to. There was Relious Liberty for all. We are losing that Liberty. Right now we can believe what we want and can not act on it. They had that in other countries. Relious freedom without the goverment interfering is what our Founding Father's wanted for us. They voted on Abolishing slavery in the first congress but it missed by one vote. People need to know the truth. Our Presient and Vis President have lied over and over on this. The media lets them do it. They keep saying it over and over and now people believe. Separation of church of state is not in the Constitudes. It simple says for Congress not to make laws either for or against religion. Read itmoreless
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Horrible anti-British and petty nationalist propaganda

1.0

By Beery1, Nov 13, 2011

Am I the only one not drinking the Kool-Aid here? I mean Liberty's Kids has about as much connection to actual early US history as does Mel Gibson's 'The Patriot'. The British are portrayed as stereotypical monsters unless they are pro-revolution. This show is overly simplistic - even young kids can understand a little complexity, but Liberty's Kids gives none whatsoever.

This show represents xenophobia and petty nationalism mixed with bad history. D.W. Griffith's racist movie 'Birth of a Nation' was more historically accurate and less prejudiced than this awful garbage. PBS should be ashamed that it even bought this show. The fact that they allowed impressionable kids to see such nonsense is unforgivable.

My 5 year-old daughter is British, and I would hate for her to meet with the sort of hatred that a show like this can easily engender. I'm so glad that Liberty's Kids has been cancelled and that her friends are no longer likely to see the show.moreless
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Watch the show :)

10

By ErickaBigsby, Jul 01, 2011

I love history! This is pretty much my favorite show. I've researched characters as they are introduced and have found that their portrayals are very accurate!(Fun Fact:When Sybil Lundington goes on her "Midnight Ride" the man who answers the first door is Edmund Ogden..the man she marries). The show often gives a pretty patriotic view of the Revolutionary War but also teaches viewers that having the facts is always important. They even out the patriotic feeling by having Sarah as a character to offer opposing viewpoints and by giving the main characters opportunities to learn more about their enemies, showing that they are regular people as well. (Good example is the episode The Hessians are Coming). Liberty's Kids also illustrates the fact that in war, journalism and the citizens are important factors, just like the soldiers are. I am now 17 and still enjoy this show as much, if not more, than I did when I was younger. I believe this show is the perfect way to expose young children to American history for the first time. I plan on sharing it with the kids I babysit and my students when I become a teacher.moreless
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I show this series to my class!

8.0

By benchervin, Feb 26, 2009

I am a 5th grade teacher, and I often show episodes of this series to my class when we learn about the Revolutionary War. It is a great series that teaches about the events that led up to, during, and after the war. It also comes across as a great drama series also, so it is entertaining as well as informative. The characters live their lives as they did back in those times.

Another reviewer was incorrect in stating that in the show some kids go back in time to the Revolutionary War days. Actually, the kids are apprentice journalists under Ben Franklin at his printing press newspaper business.

Informative show, and entertaining for all ages as well.moreless
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Watch Full Episodes: Liberty's Kids

go

Amazon

Buy

iTunes

Buy

We the People

S 1 : Ep 40

Aired 4/4/03 (23:16)
go

Amazon

Buy

iTunes

Buy

Going Home

S 1 : Ep 39

Aired 4/3/03 (23:16)
go

Amazon

Buy

iTunes

Buy

The Man Who Wouldn't Be King

S 1 : Ep 38

Aired 4/2/03 (23:15)
go

Amazon

Buy

iTunes

Buy

Born Free and Equal

S 1 : Ep 37

Aired 4/1/03 (23:15)

See All Full Episodes

Forums: Liberty's Kids

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Who's your favorite character/historical figure?
For me, it would have to be The Marquis de La Fayette.

By last_hurrah, Aug 25, 2006

03/07/13

13
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Liberty's Kids in different times
Liberty's Kids could be set in:The Civil WarWorld War IWorld War IIKorean WarVietnam WarWhat do you think of this list?

By Kingho, Nov 30, 2006

01/23/13

24
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Walter Cronkite dies
Legendary journalist Walter Cronkite who provided the voice for the character of Dr. Benjamin Franklin on Liberty's Kids has passe...

By last_hurrah, Jul 17, 2009

07/17/09

1
Reply
DVD Release
I really want to show to be released on DVD. There were a few previous releases, but that's not enough. However, PBS does have the...

By Jamminjake, Sep 16, 2006

05/03/09

16
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Anyone else think this show is great?
Hello Liberty's Kids fans. I just wanted to say that one Saturday morning (back when they aired on Saturdays) I was up at around ...

By suplex2000, Feb 20, 2006

12/09/08

41
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