Documentary filmmaker Ken Burns has been awarded the inaugural David M. Rubenstein Prize for the Advancement of American History, recognizing his extensive contributions to fostering public understanding of the nation’s past. The prize carries a $250,000 award and was presented by the New-York Historical Society.

Burns, whose documentaries explore a wide range of American historical topics including the American Revolution, the Civil War, and the Vietnam War, was honored for work described by the prize jury as embodying “our highest aspirations.” The selection panel featured notable historians and Pulitzer Prize recipients Annette Gordon-Reed and Jon Meacham.

In a statement released Wednesday, Burns expressed his gratitude and humility, emphasizing that his films are built upon the efforts of numerous historians and archivists. He described his documentaries as part of an ongoing “collective conversation” about the identity of the American people. “I am very fortunate to be part of this conversation about a country I love,” he said.

The David M. Rubenstein Prize marks a new recognition aimed at highlighting individuals who have made impactful contributions to advancing knowledge of American history through scholarship and public engagement. Burns’ work, which has reached wide audiences through public television, has helped shape popular perceptions of critical moments in U.S. history.