The medal is awarded annually to “men and women of courage and conviction who strive to secure the blessings of liberty to people around the globe.” It was first awarded in 1989 to Lech Walesa, the former President of Poland and leader of the country’s Solidarity movement in 1983 against communism during the Cold War. Previous medal recipients include historical figures such as activist Malala Yousafzai, Secretary of State Colin Powell, Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, President George W. Bush, and South African President Nelson Mandela. 

Burns was selected as this year’s recipient because of his decades of work chronicling specific periods of the nation’s history which compelled “all of us to learn about the principles at the heart of the American idea.”

“A central lesson of all of his films is that unless all citizens take the time to learn about history, we risk repeating its errors and losing our liberties to dictators or the mob,” National Constitution Center President and CEO Jeffrey Rosen said about Burns. “In telling the story of America through the personal stories of those who have struggled to realize the American Idea, he emphasizes the complexity of the daily quest for personal and political self-government.”

During the ceremony, Burns and Rosen spoke about the filmmaker’s previous works and their impact on the country. They also discussed Burns’s upcoming documentary, The American Revolution. Upon receiving the honor, Burns expressed gratitude for the recognition.

“I could not be more humbled for the extraordinary recognition that you bestow on me tonight. The Liberty Medal recognizes that the desire for liberty, for freedom, is a universal human trait that requires our constant attention against the perpetual threats that assault these virtues,” Burns said.

“The National Constitution Center is a place but more importantly an idea too – the essential idea that we can improve our democracy by studying our past, our founding, the women and men of all backgrounds who gave birth to this complicated and glorious republic.”

Burns has a long, distinguished, and award-winning career. The National Constitution Center website noted that he has received two Grammy Awards, 17 Emmy Awards, and two Oscar nominations. Burns was also awarded a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences in 2008 and inducted into the Television Academy Hall of Fame in November 2022.

His previous work includes the acclaimed documentaries The Civil War, Baseball, The Vietnam War, and The American Buffalo, among many others.