Eisenhower Fellowships (EF) has announced that acclaimed documentary filmmaker Ken Burns will receive the 2026 Dwight D. Eisenhower Medal for Leadership and Service, a recognition reserved for individuals who exemplify leadership, service, and a commitment to fostering global understanding.

For over four decades, Burns has transformed the way we experience history. His documentaries, The Civil War, Baseball, Jazz, The Vietnam War, and The U.S. and the Holocaust, are more than films; they are cultural touchstones that invite reflection on who we are as a nation. His upcoming series, The American Revolution, promises to continue this tradition of storytelling that educates and inspires.