ANNOUNCER: Live from the United States Capitol, it's A Capitol Fourth: 250th Weekend Celebration.

And now please welcome tonight's host, iconic actor and television star, Alfonso Ribeiro.

[APPLAUSE] ALFONSO RIBEIRO: Welcome to the 46th Annual A Capitol Fourth, a special edition this year for two reasons.

First, because tonight we are celebrating an event 250 years in the making, the birth of a new nation, our nation, and the second reason this concert is so special is because we are kicking off America's independence weekend with this nationwide birthday party.

Now we got a great crowd tonight, and those unable to be here in person and joining the millions watching at home in television, we know you are with us in spirit, we have so many inspiring performances lined up for you our concert as we commemorate this truly landmark event in our nation's history, and in keeping with a great American tradition, we'll be lighting up the sky with some spectacular and patriotic fireworks.

And I am really excited because we also have an appearance by four genuine heroes, the Artemis 2 Astronauts.

I can't wait to hear about their journey.

And now, with the world premiere of his new song "American Made", here is country music superstar, Trace Adkins.

[APPLAUSE] [MUSIC: American Made] TRACE ADKINS: ♪ HE SET A COURSE FOR CAROLINA ♪ ♪ NOT A PENNY TO HIS NAME ♪ ♪ JUST AN OLD FAMILY BIBLE ♪ ♪ AND A HUNGER IN HIS VEINS ♪ ♪ LIKE A MILLION OTHER DREAMERS ♪ ♪ ♪ IN SEARCH OF LIBERTY ♪ ♪ SAILING TO THE LAND OF ♪ FREEDOM♪ ♪ AND POSSIBILITY ♪ ♪ JUST A SIMPLE MAN ♪ ♪ WITH HIS CALLOUSED HANDS ♪ ♪ THAT HE WORKED DOWN TO THE ♪ BONE ♪ ♪ STARTED A FAMILY AND MADE HIS ♪ LEGACY ♪ ♪ WHEN HE CALLED THIS PLACE OUR ♪ HOME ♪ ♪ EVERY SINGLE SEED THEY PLANTED ♪ ♪ ♪ TURNING INTO A FIELD OF DREAMS ♪ ♪ ♪ PAVING THE WAY FOR GENERATIONS ♪ ♪ ♪ NOW OUR ROOTS ARE RUNNING DEEP ♪ ♪ ♪ AND WHEN THAT PROUD FLAG WAVES ♪ ♪ ♪ THE ANTHEM PLAYS ♪ ♪ I KNOW THE PRICE THEY PAID ♪ ♪ AND I'M THANKFUL FOR IT EACH ♪ AND EVERY DAY ♪ ♪ TO BE AMERICAN MADE ♪ [INSTRUMENTAL] ♪ THEY BROKE THEIR BACKS TO EARN ♪ A LIVING ♪ ♪ HANGING STEEL AND BLASTING ♪ STONE ♪ ♪ DRILLING WELLS, CUTTING TIMBER ♪ ♪ ♪ HERDING COWS AND MINING COAL ♪ ♪ THEY GAVE THEIR BLOOD AND ♪ TEARS ♪ ♪ AND SERVED IN EVERY SINGLE WAR ♪ ♪ ♪ AS SHOTs RANG OUT ♪ ♪ THEY NEVER HAD A DOUBT ♪ ♪ ABOUT THE LAND THEY WERE ♪ FIGHTING FOR ♪ TRACE/CHORUS: ♪ EVERY SINGLE SEED THEY PLANTED ♪ ♪ ♪ TURNING INTO A FIELD OF DREAMS ♪ ♪ ♪ PAVING THE WAY FOR GENERATIONS ♪ ♪ ♪ NOW OUR ROOTS ARE RUNNING DEEP ♪ ♪ ♪ AND WHEN THAT PROUD FLAG WAVES ♪ ♪ ♪ THE ANTHEM PLAYS (OOOOO) ♪ ♪ I KNOW THE PRICE THEY PAID ♪ ♪ AND I'M THANKFUL FOR IT EACH ♪ AND EVERY DAY ♪ ♪ TO BE AMERICAN MADE ♪ [INSTRUMENTAL] ♪ NOW WE FOLLOW IN THEIR ♪ FOOTSTEPS ♪ ♪ CARRY GREAT-GRANDDADDY'S NAME ♪ ♪ ♪ AND BEING BORN UNDER THE STARS ♪ AND STRIPES ♪ ♪ WAS THE GREATEST GIFT THEY ♪ GAVE ♪ TRACE/CHORUS: ♪ EVERY SINGLE SEED THEY PLANTED ♪ ♪ ♪ TURNING INTO A FIELD OF DREAMS ♪ ♪ ♪ PAVING THE WAY FOR GENERATIONS ♪ ♪ ♪ NOW OUR ROOTS ARE RUNNING DEEP ♪ ♪ ♪ AND WHEN THAT PROUD FLAG WAVES ♪ ♪ ♪ THE ANTHEM PLAYS (OOOOO) ♪ ♪ I KNOW THE PRICE THEY PAID ♪ ♪ AND I'M THANKFUL FOR IT EACH ♪ AND EVERY DAY (EVERY DAY) ♪ ♪ I'LL BE THANKFUL FOR IT 'TILL ♪ MY DYING DAY ♪ ♪ TO BE AMERICAN MADE (OOOOO) ♪ ♪ I'M AMERICAN MADE (OOOOO) ♪ ♪ I'M AMERICAN MADE (OOOOO) ♪ [MUSIC OUT] [APPLAUSE] [MUSIC: Stars & Stripes Forever] ANNOUNCER: Live from the United States Capitol, it's our annual National Independence Day Celebration.

Tonight, A Capitol Fourth: 250th Weekend Celebration welcomes the following stars.

One of the greatest American bands of all time, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Members Chicago.

NAACP Image Award Entertainer of the Year the Godmother of Soul, Patti LaBelle.

Grammy award winning music icons, Kool & The Gang.

Country Music Super-Star, Trace Adkins.

Grammy, CMA, ACM and CMT Award winner, Carly Pearce.

The cast of the Tony Award nominated hit Broadway musical, Just In Time.

A multi-platinum recording artist with over 100 million views, Loren Allred.

Two-time Grammy Award winning soprano, Angel Blue.

And a special performance by country music icon Alan Jackson.

With appearances by the Artemis II Astronauts.

Athletes from the 2026 U.S.

Olympic and Paralympic Teams.

Emmy Award winning actor Gary Sinise.

Tony Award winning actor Joe Mantegna.

A tribute to America's military heroes.

And fireworks live from historic George Washington's Mount Vernon.

Featuring.

The National Symphony Orchestra conducted by Maestro Jack Everly.

Shannon Arnold directing The Choral Arts Society of Washington.

Patrick Lundy and The Ministers of Music.

The U.S.

Army Band "Pershing's Own".

The U.S.

Army Herald Trumpets.

The Joint Armed Forces Chorus.

The U.S.

Army Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps.

The U.S.

Army Presidential Salute Battery.

And the Armed Forces Color Guard.

A Capitol Fourth: 250th Weekend Celebration is made possible by.

The Boeing Company.

[MUSIC OUT] VO: This Independence Day, we come together to celebrate our nation.

Honoring our history and enjoying the time spent with loved ones.

As we look ahead to creating great memories.

We stand united and celebrate together.

ANNOUNCER: And by the National Park Service and the Department of the Army.

ANNOUNCER: And now please rise in body or spirit for the singing of our National Anthem, performed by country music star Carly Pearce.

[MUSIC: The Star-Spangled Banner] [INSTRUMENTAL INTRO] CARLY PEARCE: ♪ OH, ♪ ♪ SAY CAN YOU SEE ♪ ♪ BY THE DAWN'S EARLY LIGHT ♪ ♪ WHAT SO PROUDLY WE HAILED ♪ ♪ AT THE TWILIGHT'S LAST ♪ GLEAMING ♪ ♪ WHOSE BROAD STRIPES ♪ ♪ AND BRIGHT STARS ♪ ♪ THROUGH THE PERILOUS FIGHT ♪ ♪ O'ER THE RAMPARTS WE WATCHED ♪ ♪ WERE SO GALLANTLY STREAMING ♪ ♪ AND THE ROCKET'S RED GLARE ♪ ♪ THE BOMBS BURSTING IN AIR ♪ ♪ GAVE PROOF ♪ ♪ THROUGH THE NIGHT ♪ ♪ THAT OUR FLAG WAS STILL THERE ♪ ♪ ♪ OH SAY DOES THAT STAR-SPANGLED ♪ ♪ ♪ BANNER YET WAVE ♪ ♪ O'ER THE LAND OF THE FREE ♪ ♪ AND THE HOME ♪ ♪ OF THE ♪ ♪ BRAVE ♪ ANNOUNCER: And now, welcome back our host, from Dancing with the Stars, Alfonso Ribeiro.

[APPLAUSE] ALFONSO: Happy July 4th weekend.

It's America's birthday!

Are you guys all ready to party!

All right!

This is my fourth time hosting this great event and I am looking forward to our best concert yet.

Tonight we are so fortunate to be here once again, at this iconic location, the U.S.

Capitol Building, as our nation comes together to kick off the celebration of our 250th birthday.

It turns out each of the days leading up to July 4th were important in our country's early history.

And trust me I did the research to prepare for this.

It was actually on July 2nd, 1776, that the Continental Congress officially voted to declare independence from Great Britain.

In fact, one of our founding patriots, John Adams, predicted that July 2nd would be the date Americans honored as our birthday, but it wasn't until the 4th that the final document was approved.

And that's why we mark July 4th as Independence Day.

Although John Adams was just a little off in that prediction, he was absolutely right about something else.

In a letter to his wife Abigail dated July 3rd, 1776, he wrote that our freedom would be celebrated by succeeding generations, with parades, games, sports, and bells, bonfires and illuminations from one end of this Continent to the other from this time forward forever more.

Looking at this crowd, he sure got that right!

Let's see you wave your flags!

And even though this is a party, it is also a time to remember those first patriots, some whose names we know from our history books, others just ordinary men and women.

They risked their lives, their fortunes and their sacred honor for a powerful idea, encapsulated in the immortal words of Thomas Jefferson, that we are all created equal, that we are endowed with certain unalienable Rights, among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.

And so, it is in honor of those first patriots, and in tribute to what they did and what has endured that we gather here today.

And on a night where we celebrate history, we're going to make some history, because for the first time in the 46 years of A Capitol Fourth, we are going live to an iconic 18th-century landmark, George Washington's Mount Vernon, where later we will get to see an amazing fireworks display.

And in a few minutes, we're going to be joined by four special guests, the crew of the groundbreaking Artemis 2 Mission to the moon.

[APPLAUSE] ALFONSO: But first, how about some more great music?

Hmm?

356 00:17:40,692 --> 00:17:43,295 Our next performers have two Grammy Awards, seven American Music Awards, and have sold over 70 million albums.

And it was on a July 3rd 57 years ago that they released their very first song.

Right now get up and get ready to dance because here are Rock and Roll Hall of Fame legends, Kool and the Gang.

[APPLAUSE] SHAWN MCQUILLER: Open Sesame.

Yeah.

Are you ready to swing out here.

C'mon and get your hands up in the air.

SHAWN/BGVs: ♪ A LET ME SEE 'EM ♪ ♪ A LET ME SEE 'EM ♪ ♪ C'MON Y'ALL A LET ME SEE 'EM ♪ ♪ C'MON Y'ALL A LET ME SEE 'EM ♪ ♪ C'MON Y'ALL A LET ME SEE 'EM ♪ ♪ SAY HEY, HEY, HEY ♪ ♪ WHAT YA GOT TO SAY?

♪ ♪ I SAY, HEY, HEY, HEY ♪ ♪ WHAT YA GOT TO SAY?

♪ ♪ HOLLYWOOD ♪ ♪ HOLLYWOOD SWINGING ♪ ♪ HOLLYWOOD ♪ ♪ HOLLYWOOD SWINGING ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ SO WHAT YOU GONNA DO?

♪ ♪ DO YOU WANNA GET DOWN?

♪ ♪ SO WHAT YOU GONNA DO?

♪ ♪ DO YOU WANNA GET DOWN?

♪ ♪ (GET DOWN ON IT) COME ON AND ♪ ♪ (GET DOWN ON IT) IF YOU REALLY ♪ WANT IT ♪ ♪ (GET DOWN ON IT) YOU GOTTA ♪ FEEL IT ♪ ♪ (GET DOWN ON IT) GET DOWN ON ♪ IT ♪ ♪ (GET DOWN ON IT) A GET ON IT ♪ ♪ (GET DOWN ON IT) BABY, BABY ♪ ♪ (GET DOWN ON IT) A GET ON IT ♪ ♪ (GET DOWN ON IT) ♪ ♪ HOW YOU GONNA DO IT IF YOU ♪ REALLY DON'T WANNA DANCE ♪ ♪ BY STANDING ON THE WALL?

♪ ♪ (GET YOUR BACK UP OFF THE ♪ WALL) A TELL ME ♪ ♪ HOW YOU GONNA DO IT IF YOU ♪ REALLY WON'T TAKE A CHANCE ♪ ♪ BY STANDING ON THE WALL?

♪ ♪ (GET YOUR BACK UP OFF THE ♪ WALL) ♪ ♪ 'CAUSE I HEARD ALL THE PEOPLE ♪ SINGIN' ♪ ♪ (GET DOWN ON IT) COME ON AND ♪ ♪ (GET DOWN ON IT) IF YOU REALLY ♪ WANT IT ♪ ♪ (GET DOWN ON IT) YOU GOTTA ♪ FEEL IT ♪ ♪ (GET DOWN ON IT) GET DOWN ON ♪ IT ♪ ♪ (GET DOWN ON IT) A GET ON IT ♪ ♪ (GET DOWN ON IT) A BABY, BABY ♪ ♪ ♪ (GET DOWN ON IT) A GET ON IT ♪ ♪ (GET DOWN ON IT) ♪ SHAWN: Awww this one is going out to all the ladies!

[INSTRUMENTAL] ♪ OOH OH ♪ ♪ YEAH YEAH, OH WHAT A NIGHT ♪ ♪ HERE WE GO!

HO ♪ Horns!

Sexy ladies, let me hear you scream!

♪ OH YES, IT'S LADIES NIGHT ♪ ♪ AND THE FEELING'S RIGHT ♪ ♪ OH YES, IT'S LADIES NIGHT ♪ ♪ OH WHAT A NIGHT (OH WHAT A ♪ NIGHT) ♪ ♪ OH YES, IT'S LADIES NIGHT ♪ ♪ AND THE FEELING'S RIGHT ♪ ♪ OH YES, IT'S LADIES NIGHT ♪ ♪ OH WHAT A NIGHT ♪ ♪ HUH ♪ ♪ GIRLS, YOU'VE GOT THE ONE ♪ ♪ A NIGHT THAT'S SPECIAL ♪ EVERYWHERE ♪ ♪ FROM NEW YORK TO HOLLYWOOD ♪ ♪ IT'S LADIES NIGHT AND GIRL ♪ ♪ THE FEELING'S GOOD ♪ ♪ ON DISCO LIGHTS YOUR NAME WILL ♪ BE SEEN ♪ ♪ YOU CAN FULFILL ALL YOUR ♪ DREAMS ♪ ♪ PARTY HERE, PARTY THERE, ♪ EVERYWHERE ♪ ♪ THIS IS YOUR NIGHT, BABY ♪ ♪ YOU GOT TO BE THERE ♪ ♪ THIS IS YOUR NIGHT TONIGHT ♪ ♪ EVERYTHING IS GOING TO BE ♪ ALRIGHT (THIS IS YOUR NIGHT) ♪ ♪ THIS IS YOUR NIGHT TONIGHT ♪ ♪ EVERYTHING IS GOING TO BE ♪ ALRIGHT (EVERYTHING'S GONNA BE ALRIGHT) ♪ ♪ THIS IS YOUR NIGHT TONIGHT ♪ ♪ EVERYTHING IS GOING TO BE ♪ ALRIGHT (THIS IS YOUR NIGHT) ♪ ♪ THIS IS YOUR NIGHT TONIGHT ♪ SHAWN: Uh c'mon.

To the boogie.

Oh!

[INSTRUMENTAL TRANSITION] 476 00:23:06,785 --> 00:23:11,656 SHAWN: It's time to celebrate!

Woo!!

SHAWN/BGVs: ♪ (YAHOO!)

♪ ♪ IT'S A CELEBRATION ♪ ♪ (YAHOO!)

♪ ♪ IT'S A CELEBRATION ♪ ♪ (CELEBRATE GOOD TIMES, COME ♪ ON) ♪ ♪ A LET'S CELEBRATE ♪ ♪ C'MON NOW ♪ ♪ (CELEBRATE GOOD TIMES, COME ♪ ON) ♪ ♪ A LET'S CELEBRATE ♪ ♪ THERE'S A PARTY GOIN' ON RIGHT ♪ HERE ♪ ♪ A CELEBRATION TO LAST ♪ THROUGHOUT THE YEARS ♪ ♪ SO BRING YOUR GOOD TIMES ♪ ♪ AND YOUR LAUGHTER TOO ♪ ♪ WE GONNA CELEBRATE AND PARTY ♪ WITH YOU ♪ ♪ COME ON, NOW ♪ ♪ (CELEBRATION) ♪ ♪ A LET'S ALL CELEBRATE AND HAVE ♪ A GOOD TIME ♪ ♪ (CELEBRATION) ♪ ♪ A WE GONNA CELEBRATE AND HAVE ♪ A GOOD TIME ♪ ♪ IT'S TIME TO COME TOGETHER ♪ ♪ IT'S UP TO YOU, WHAT'S YOUR ♪ PLEASURE ♪ ♪ (EVERYONE AROUND THE WORLD, ♪ COME ON) ♪ ♪ (YAHOO!)

♪ ♪ IT'S A CELEBRATION ♪ ♪ (YAHOO!)

♪ ♪ IT'S A CELEBRATION ♪ ♪ (CELEBRATE GOOD TIMES, COME ♪ ON) ♪ ♪ A LET'S CELEBRATE, C'MON NOW ♪ ♪ (CELEBRATE GOOD TIMES, COME ♪ ON) ♪ ♪ HEY ♪ ♪ (CELEBRATE GOOD TIMES, COME ♪ ON) ♪ ♪ A LET'S CELEBRATE C'MON NOW ♪ ♪ (CELEBRATE GOOD TIMES, COME ♪ ON) ♪ ♪ C'MON AND CELEBRATE YEAH ♪ ♪ A C'MON AND CELEBRATE ♪ ♪ (CELEBRATE GOOD TIMES, COME ♪ ON) ♪ ♪ WOO ♪ [APPLAUSE] 532 00:25:48,346 --> 00:25:52,383 ALFONSO: Thank you Kool and the Gang!

Yes!

What a way to jam!

Did I mention we have some great fireworks for everyone which this year for our first time ever will be coming to us from George Washington's Mount Vernon.

[APPLAUSE] so let's head over there now.

To check in with artist whose performances have been called astonishing, beautiful and transcendent, and I agree!

Here is the amazing Loren Allred.

[APPLAUSE] LOREN ALLRED: Thanks Alfonso.

We've got a great party happening here at Mount Vernon and coming up, we're going to see the biggest fireworks display they've ever done here!

I'm so honored to be part of this concert and to have been asked to perform later tonight.

And it is so appropriate that we are at this historic location on this milestone anniversary because we are here to celebrate our 250 years as a nation, thanks to George Washington's leadership as Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army during the Revolutionary War and his statesmanship and vision as our first president.

I know you've got another great performance about to start back at the U.S.

Capitol so Alfonso back to you.

ALFONSO: Thanks Loren.

We'll see you again in a few minutes.

Right now, we have a performance from the cast of the award-winning musical "Just in Time" which brings to life the story and music of Bobby Darin, the artist who gave us such hits as "Mack the Knife", "Dream Lover" and "Beyond the Sea".

So everybody, get up on your feet and get ready to dance to the amazing cast of "Just in Time".

[APPLAUSE] [INSTRUMENTAL INTRO] ♪ SOMEWHERE BEYOND THE SEA ♪ ♪ SOMEWHERE WAITING FOR ME ♪ ♪ MY LOVER STANDS ON GOLDEN ♪ SANDS ♪ ♪ AND WATCHES THE SHIPS THAT GO ♪ SAILIN' ♪ ♪ WE'LL MEET BEYOND THE SHORE ♪ ♪ WE'LL KISS JUST AS BEFORE ♪ ♪ HAPPY WE'LL BE BEYOND THE SEA ♪ ♪ ♪ AND NEVER AGAIN WE'LL GO ♪ SAILING ♪ ♪ OH, THE SHARK, BABE, HAS SUCH ♪ TEETH, DEAR ♪ ♪ AND IT SHOWS THEM PEARLY WHITE ♪ ♪ ♪ JUST A JACKKNIFE HAS OLD ♪ MACHEATH, BABE ♪ ♪ AND HE KEEPS IT, AH, OUT OF ♪ SIGHT ♪ ♪ NOW ON THE SIDEWALK, HUH, HUH ♪ ♪ ♪ WHOO SUNNY MORNING, UN HUH ♪ ♪ LIES A BODY JUST OOZIN' LIFE, ♪ EEK ♪ ♪ AND SOMEONE'S SNEAKIN' ♪ ♪ AROUND THE CORNER ♪ ♪ COULD THAT SOMEONE BE MACK THE ♪ KNIFE?

♪ ♪ NOW DID YA HEAR 'BOUT LOUIE ♪ MILLER?

♪ ♪ HE DISAPPEARED, BABE ♪ ♪ AFTER DRAWIN' OUT ♪ ♪ ALL HIS HARD-EARNED CASH ♪ ♪ AND NOW MACHEATH SPENDS ♪ ♪ JUST LIKE A SAILOR ♪ ♪ COULD IT BE OUR BOY'S DONE ♪ SOMETHIN' RASH?

♪ ♪ I SAID JENNY DIVER, WHOA, ♪ SUKEY TAWDRY ♪ ♪ LOOK OUT TO MISS LOTTE LENYA ♪ AND OLD LUCY BROWN ♪ ♪ YES, THAT LINE FORMS ON THE ♪ RIGHT, BABE ♪ ♪ NOW THAT MACKY, MACKY, MACKY ♪ ♪ MACKY, MACKY, MACKY ♪ ♪ MACKY'S ♪ ♪ BACK IN TOWN ♪ ♪ LOOK OUT OLD MACK IS ♪ ♪ LOOK OUT OLD MACK IS ♪ ♪ LOOK OUT OLD MACK IS ♪ ♪ BACK ♪ [INSTRUMENTAL TRANSITION] ♪ DREAM LOVER, WHERE ARE YOU ♪ ♪ WITH A LOVE, OH, SO TRUE (OOO) ♪ ♪ ♪ AND THE HAND THAT I CAN HOLD ♪ (OOO) ♪ ♪ TO FEEL YOU NEAR AS I GROW OLD ♪ (AHHH) ♪ ♪ 'CAUSE I WANT (YEAH-YEAH, ♪ YEAH) ♪ ♪ A GIRL (YEAH-YEAH, YEAH) ♪ ♪ TO CALL (YEAH-YEAH, YEAH) ♪ ♪ MY OWN (YEAH-YEAH, YEAH) ♪ ♪ I WANT A DREAM LOVER ♪ ♪ SO I DON'T HAVE TO DREAM ALONE ♪ ♪ ♪ SOMEDAY, I DON'T KNOW HOW ♪ (AHHH) ♪ ♪ I HOPE SHE'LL HEAR MY PLEA ♪ ♪ SOMEWAY, I DON'T KNOW HOW ♪ (AHHH) ♪ ♪ SHE'LL BRING HER LOVE TO ME ♪ ♪ AND SO, I STEPPED OUT THE TUB ♪ (BLUB BLUB) ♪ ♪ PUT MY FEET ON THE FLOOR (BLUB ♪ BLUB) ♪ ♪ I WRAPPED THE TOWEL 'ROUND ME ♪ (BLUB BLUB) ♪ ♪ AND I OPENED THE DOOR (BLUB ♪ BLUB) ♪ ♪ THERE WAS LOLLIPOP (BLUB BLUB) ♪ ♪ ♪ WITH-A PEGGY SUE (BLUB BLUB) ♪ ♪ GOOD GOLLY, MISS MOLLY (BLUB ♪ BLUB) ♪ ♪ WAS-A EVEN THERE, TOO (BLUB ♪ BLUB) ♪ ♪ THIS IS JUST IN TIME ♪ ♪ ON THE GREAT WHITE WAY (BLUB ♪ BLUB) ♪ ♪ IT'S AMERICA'S TWO HUNDRED ♪ ♪ AND FIFTIETH BIRTHDAY (BLUB ♪ BLUB) ♪ ♪ SPLISH SPLASH, (BLUB BLUB) ♪ ♪ I JUMPED BACK IN THE BATH ♪ (BLUB BLUB) ♪ ♪ I WENT AND PUT MY DANCIN' ♪ SHOES ON, YEAH ♪ ♪ I WAS A-SPLISHIN' AND ♪ A-SPLASHIN' ♪ ♪ I WAS A-ROLLIN' AND ♪ A-STROLLIN' ♪ ♪ HEY, I WAS A-MOVIN' AND ♪ A-GROOVIN' ♪ ♪ I WAS A-REELIN' WITH THE ♪ FEELIN' ♪ ♪ I WAS A-ROLLING AND ♪ A-STROLLING (YEAH YEAH) ♪ ♪ MOVIN' AND A-GROOVIN' (YEAH ♪ YEAH) ♪ ♪ REELIN' WITH THE FEELIN' (YEAH ♪ YEAH) ♪ ♪ ROCKIN' AND A-ROLLIN' (YEAH ♪ YEAH) ♪ ♪ ROLLIN' AND A-STROLLIN' ♪ ♪ MOVIN' AND A-GROOVIN' ♪ ♪ SPLISH, SPLASH ♪ ♪ YEAH ♪ [MUSIC OUT] [APPLAUSE] Happy 250th America!

ALFONSO: What a great performance by the cast of "Just in Time".

Just a reminder for all of you watching "A Capitol Fourth" at home make sure to join the conversation on social media.

As viewers of America's National Memorial Day Concert know, every year the co-host of that important event is a friend and advocate for our country's service members, veterans, wounded warriors, and military families.

He's an Oscar Nominee and Emmy Award winning actor who we know from films like "Forrest Gump" and "Apollo 13".

Please welcome Gary Sinise.

[APPLAUSE] GARY SINISE: Thank you Alfonso.

Over the course of America's 250-year history NASA has been a driving force behind so many of our nation's landmark events.

There was Alan Shepard's first flight into outer space by an American in May 1961.

John Glenn orbiting the earth a few months later, the successful Gemini and Apollo missions.

And then in July 1969, 150 million Americans watched in awe as Neil Armstrong took those first steps on the lunar surface.

"The eagle has landed" "It's one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind."

[APPLAUSE] This past April the world watched once again an extraordinary American success as the Artemis 2 mission broke new ground, setting the record for the farthest humans have ever traveled from our home planet, reaching an incredible maximum distance of 252,756 miles from Earth.

Simply put, the Artemis 2 mission inspired countless people across our country who joined together to witness history be made once again.

And now please join me in welcoming our four special guests, the astronauts from Artemis 2: Commander Reid Wiseman, Pilot Victor Glover, Mission Specialists Christina Koch and Jeremy Hansen.

[APPLAUSE] GARY: Reid, as we celebrate our nation's 250th birthday what message do you have for America mission and what lies ahead?

REID WISEMAN: Gary what the 4 of us just got to do was very special.

Victor, Christina, Jeremy, that was very special.

But tonight we want to thank all of you folks in the US and around the world because you all showed up for us and we celebrated together.

So thank you all.

What's coming next here, here on America's 25 0th birthday.

We have a crew on the International Space Station.

We have rovers on Mars.

We are sending probes to the moon of Jupiter.

We are getting ready to launch Artemis Three next year.

So tonight, let's just celebrate and enjoy the gifts that this nation has given all of us.

GARY: Victor, what does it mean to you to celebrate America's 250th at the United States Capitol?

VICTOR GLOVER: It's special, America will only turn 250 one time, we're in a special place, that building is amazing the people's house, it's a special place.

There's a room in there on the wall.

It has a scripture that says where there is no vision.

The people perish and we love coming here and celebrating and this is just a really special place to do it.

But most important is the people, the special people all gathered here today, we love you, and God bless the united stStates of America.

825 00:36:05,629 --> 00:36:08,031 GARY: Christina, what was the most exciting moment of your flight?

CHRISTINA KOCH: The most exciting thing I have say... that moment, right off the coast of San Diego, we had been focused... we had been focused... We had been... that was awesome.

The whole mission, launch, going around the far side of the moon we were so focused on what we were accomplishing, but the moment of splashdown the absolute excitement, we were going to come barks and going to hand the baton.

To the next crew, and we were going to bring back to this country, to this world, landing on the moon very soon.

[APPLAUSE] GARY: Jeremy, what was it like looking at the moon and when you looked back at earth?

JEREMY HANSEN: I tell you, just imagine yourself floating there in the integrity spacecraft with us and seeing the moon up close, and you fall in love with it in a completely new and magical way, seeing all its grandeur, the textures.

But then, then something even more incredible happens.

The Earth comes into the window at the same time, you see tiny earth, you don't see a country any more, you just connect with your planet, it's an incredible thing, and I just remind you as you celebrate your 250th.

You can be proud America, the international collaboration, that you led that spread moon joy around the world and re MIND mind D us that we are better together.

[APPLAUSE] GARY: All of us appreciate you taking time out from your busy schedules to be here.

What you did was truly inspiring and thank you so much for Coming tonight.

I can think of no better musical tribute for these four astronauts who have the right stuff than the Bill Conti Oscar winning theme from the film "The Right Stuff", performed by the National Symphony Orchestra.

Jack, take it away!

♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ 893 00:40:42,339 --> 00:40:44,808 ALFONSO: That was so cool having these four heroes join us tonight.

Wow!

[APPLAUSE] so special!

As always on a capitol fourth, we're joined by America's orchestra, the National Symphony Orchestra, led by maestro Jack Everly.

Jack?

JACK EVERLY: Thank you Alfonso.

It means so much to me to be part of this historic event.

So on behalf of myself and all The incredible musicians of our National Symphony Orchestra, Happy 250th Birthday America!

[APPLAUSE] 913 00:41:20,444 --> 00:41:23,347 ALFONSO: Thanks Jack.

It was a little over 80 years ago that a true American icon, Frank Sinatra, performed "The House I Live In", a song whose inspiring message was at the heart of the Oscar winning documentary by the same name.

Over the decades it has been featured at presidential inaugurations, at state dinners and patriotic ceremonies from coast-to-coast.

And we are so honored to present it to you tonight.

Joined by the National Symphony Orchestra, please welcome the legendary Patti LaBelle.

[APPLAUSE] PATTI LABELLE: ♪ WHAT IS AMERICA TO ME?

♪ ♪ A NAME, A MAP, OR A FLAG I SEE ♪ ♪ ♪ A CERTAIN WORD, OO, DEMOCRACY ♪ YES ♪ ♪ WHAT IS AMERICA TO ME ♪ ♪ THE HOUSE I LIVE IN ♪ ♪ A PLOT OF EARTH, A STREET ♪ ♪ THE GROCER AND THE BUTCHER ♪ ♪ AND ALL PEOPLE THAT I MEET ♪ ♪ THE CHILDREN IN THE PLAYGROUND ♪ ♪ ♪ OR THE FACES THAT I SEE ♪ ♪ ALL RACES AND RELIGIONS ♪ ♪ THAT'S AMERICA TO ME ♪ ♪ THE THINGS I SEE ABOUT ME ♪ ♪ THE BIG THINGS AND THE SMALL ♪ (OOOO) ♪ ♪ THE LITTLE CORNER NEWSSTAND ♪ (OOOO) ♪ ♪ OR A HOUSE A MILE TALL ♪ ♪ THE WEDDING AND THE CHURCHYARD ♪ ♪ ♪ THE LAUGHTER AND THE TEARS ♪ ♪ AND THE DREAM THAT'S BEEN A ♪ GROWING ♪ ♪ FOR TWO HUNDRED FIFTY YEARS, ♪ ♪ OH, OH ♪ ♪ THE TOWN I LIVE IN ♪ ♪ THE STREET, THE HOUSE, THE ♪ ROOM ♪ ♪ OR THE PAVEMENT OF THE CITY ♪ ♪ OR A GARDEN ALL IN BLOOM ♪ ♪ THE CHURCH, THE SCHOOL, THE ♪ CLUBHOUSE ♪ ♪ A MILLION LIGHTS I SEE ♪ ♪ ESPECIALLY THE PEOPLE ♪ ♪ OH THAT'S AMERICA ♪ ♪ THAT'S AMERICA TO ME ♪ ♪ OH ESPECIALLY THE GOOD OL' ♪ PEOPLE ♪ ♪ THAT'S AMERICA ♪ ♪ AMERICA ♪ ♪ TO ME ♪ [APPLAUSE] 979 00:44:56,560 --> 00:45:00,497 ALFONSO: Thank you Patti!

There are so many patriotic songs whose performances at this concert are an important part of our Capitol Fourth tradition.

One of my favorites is "This Land is Your Land".

Here to perform it is a multiple award-winning country music star.

Please welcome back, Carly Pearce.

[APPLAUSE] [MUSIC: This Land Is Your Land] [INSTRUMENTAL INTRO] ♪ AS I WENT WALKING THAT RIBBON ♪ OF HIGHWAY ♪ ♪ I SAW ABOVE ME THAT ENDLESS ♪ SKYWAY ♪ ♪ I SAW BELOW ME THOSE GOLDEN ♪ VALLEYS ♪ ♪ THIS LAND WAS MADE FOR YOU AND ♪ ME ♪ ♪ THIS LAND IS YOUR LAND, THIS ♪ LAND IS MY LAND ♪ ♪ FROM CALIFORNIA, TO THE NEW ♪ YORK ISLAND ♪ ♪ FROM THE REDWOOD FOREST, TO ♪ THE GULF STREAM WATERS ♪ ♪ THIS LAND WAS MADE FOR YOU AND ♪ ME ♪ [INSTRUMENTAL ] ♪ I ROAMED AND RAMBLED, AND I ♪ FOLLOWED MY FOOTSTEPS ♪ ♪ TO THE SPARKLING SANDS OF HER ♪ DIAMOND DESERTS ♪ ♪ AND ALL AROUND ME A VOICE WAS ♪ SINGING ♪ ♪ THIS LAND WAS MADE FOR YOU AND ♪ ME ♪ Sing it with me y'all!

♪ THIS LAND IS YOUR LAND, THIS ♪ LAND IS MY LAND ♪ ♪ FROM CALIFORNIA, TO THE NEW ♪ YORK ISLAND ♪ ♪ FROM THE REDWOOD FOREST, TO ♪ THE GULF STREAM WATERS ♪ ♪ THIS LAND WAS MADE FOR YOU AND ♪ ME ♪ ♪ OH THIS LAND WAS MADE FOR YOU ♪ AND ME ♪ [APPLAUSE] CARLY: Happy 250th everyone!

[APPLAUSE] 1034 00:47:28,412 --> 00:47:34,150 ALFONSO: Thank you Carly.

And now please welcome the U.S.

Army Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps.

[APPLAUSE] [MUSIC: Yankee Doodle - INSTRUMENTAL] 1042 00:48:00,277 --> 00:48:02,846 ALFONSO: Being here to celebrate America's 250th here on the West Lawn of the U.S.

Capitol means so much to me and to everyone joining us at this concert.

And I know it means so much to my friend Trace Adkins, a man whose commitment to our military is second to none.

Trace over to you.

TRACE: Thanks Alfonso.

All of us know deep in our hearts that we would not be here, safe and secure, without the commitment and sacrifice of those who have proudly worn America's uniform for two and a half centuries.

From those first patriots who took up arms against the British in 1775 at the start of the Revolutionary War to those who defend our freedom and protect us around the world today, every generation has answered the call.

This song is dedicated to all of America's military heroes of yesterday, today and tomorrow.

[MUSIC: Still A Soldier] [INSTRUMENTAL INTRO] ♪ HE'S GOT A CORNER LOT ON ♪ DOGWOOD DRIVE ♪ ♪ A YEAR OLD TRUCK AND A NINE TO ♪ FIVE ♪ ♪ COMES HOME AT NIGHT TO A ♪ PRETTY WIFE ♪ ♪ WITH A BABY DUE ♪ ♪ HE'LL SLEEP IN ON SATURDAY ♪ (OOO) ♪ ♪ CUT THE GRASS IF IT DON'T RAIN ♪ (OOO) ♪ ♪ AFTER CHURCH HE'LL WATCH THE ♪ GAME ♪ ♪ AND HAVE A BEER OR TWO ♪ ♪ HE'LL STAND UP ♪ ♪ WHEN HE HEARS THE ANTHEM ♪ (AHHH) ♪ ♪ AND THAT WON'T EVER CHANGE ♪ ♪ HE'S STILL A SOLDIER ♪ ♪ HIS BLOOD RUNS RED, WHITE AND ♪ BLUE ♪ ♪ HE'S PUT AWAY HIS GUN AND ♪ BOOTS ♪ ♪ BUT HE STILL BELIEVES ♪ ♪ THE AMERICAN DREAM ♪ ♪ 'TIL HIS LAST BREATH HE'LL ♪ ALWAYS BE ♪ ♪ A SOLDIER ♪ ♪ HE'S STILL A SOLDIER ♪ ♪ HE'S ON HIS COUCH FOR THE NEWS ♪ AT TEN ♪ ♪ HE'LL SEE THOSE PLACES THAT ♪ HE'S BEEN (OOO) ♪ ♪ AND WHEN A BROTHER FALLS (OOO) ♪ ♪ ♪ THERE'S A PART OF HIM THAT ♪ DOES TOO (OOO) ♪ ♪ AND IF THEY CALLED AND NEEDED ♪ HIM BACK (OOO) ♪ ♪ OH, HE'D BE ON THAT PLANE ♪ (OOO) ♪ ♪ HE'S STILL A SOLDIER ♪ ♪ HIS BLOOD RUNS RED, WHITE AND ♪ BLUE ♪ ♪ HE'S PUT AWAY HIS GUN AND ♪ BOOTS ♪ ♪ BUT HE STILL BELIEVES ♪ ♪ THE AMERICAN DREAM ♪ ♪ 'TIL HIS LAST BREATH HE'LL ♪ ALWAYS BE ♪ ♪ A SOLDIER ♪ ♪ HE DON'T WAKE UP ANYMORE ♪ ♪ WHEN HE HEARS THUNDER ♪ ♪ OH, BUT EVEN IF HE LIVES (AHH) ♪ ♪ ♪ TO BE A HUNDRED (AHH) ♪ ♪ HE'LL STILL BE A SOLDIER ♪ ♪ HE'S STILL A SOLDIER ♪ ♪ HE'S PUT AWAY HIS GUN AND ♪ BOOTS ♪ ♪ BUT HE STILL BELIEVES ♪ ♪ THE AMERICAN DREAM ♪ ♪ 'TIL HIS LAST BREATH HE'LL ♪ ALWAYS BE ♪ ♪ A SOLDIER ♪ ♪ HE'S STILL A SOLDIER ♪ ♪ HE'S STILL A SOLDIER (OOO) ♪ [MUSIC OUT] [APPLAUSE] Those who served, thank you!

[APPLAUSE] 1145 00:52:01,685 --> 00:52:05,889 ALFONSO: Thank you Trace.

Fantastic!

What a wonderful tribute to all who have ever served and who are serving today in our military.

Given the importance and meaning of this landmark celebration and the role America's military has played in our nation's history, we want to share a message from some active-duty heroes about what America's 250th means to them.

SPEAKER: Being an American means everything to me.

SPEAKER: We're celebrating 250 years of the United States of America, the greatest experiment in the history of the world.

SPEAKER: To serve this moment in time gives me so much pride.

I smile every day I come to work putting on a uniform.

SPEAKER: 250 years.

This is amazing.

SPEAKER: When I think of the first American patriots, the first thing that comes to mind is our Founding Fathers.

They had a dream, a plan, a call to action.

They had the will to fight.

Fight for freedom.

SPEAKER: An incredible honor to be a part of this point in history.

We've been able to maintain our liberties and freedoms for two and a half centuries.

SPEAKER: I serve for those that served before me and those that are going to serve after me.

I serve for the people of the United States of America.

SPEAKER: It's the greatest honor you can have as a soldier to be able to serve this country.

SPEAKER: Just want to take us all to stand together, stand strong, and have the mindset to make America a place that we want to have around for 250 more years.

[APPLAUSE] 1200 00:53:29,172 --> 00:53:31,107 ALFONSO: With us in the audience are a number of veterans and active military members and their families, and we're also joined by American heroes recuperating at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center and Fort Belvoir Hospital.

Please join me in showing all these heroes our appreciation.

[APPLAUSE] absolutely.

And now in tribute to all who have served our nation these past 250 years, please welcome America's Joint Armed Forces Chorus.

[APPLAUSE] ♪ THIS IS MY COUNTRY ♪ ♪ LAND OF MY BIRTH ♪ ♪ THIS IS MY COUNTRY ♪ ♪ GRANDEST ON EARTH ♪ ♪ I PLEDGE THEE MY ALLEGIANCE ♪ ♪ AMERICA, THE BOLD ♪ ♪ FOR THIS IS MY COUNTRY ♪ ♪ TO HAVE AND TO HOLD ♪ [INSTRUMENTAL] CHORUS: ♪ THIS IS MY COUNTRY ♪ ♪ LAND OF MY CHOICE ♪ ♪ THIS IS MY COUNTRY ♪ ♪ HEAR MY PROUD VOICE ♪ ♪ I PLEDGE THEE MY ALLEGIANCE ♪ ♪ AMERICA, THE BOLD ♪ ♪ FOR THIS IS MY COUNTRY ♪ ♪ TO HAVE AND TO HOLD ♪ ♪ I PLEDGE THEE MY ALLEGIANCE ♪ ♪ AMERICA, THE BOLD ♪ ♪ FOR THIS IS MY, COUNTRY ♪ ♪ TO HAVE ♪ ♪ AND TO ♪ ♪ HOLD ♪ ♪ HAVE AND TO, HOLD ♪ ♪ AMERICA ♪ [APPLAUSE] SPEAKER: To everybody watching out there, happy Independence Day.

SPEAKER: Happy Birthday, America.

SPEAKER: Happy Independence Day, America!

Happy independence day America!

Happy indepenIndependence Day A Happy independence day America!

Happy birthday America!

Come on!

ALFONSO: Let's have a shout out to all our troops around the world!

Give them some love!

[APPLAUSE] [APPLAUSE] ALFONSO: Just a reminder, the fireworks are just minutes away.

There have been so many inspiring patriotic songs in America's 250-year history, we all have our favorites, but for me right at the top of the list is one written 165 years ago by Julia Ward Howe in just one night here in Washington DC, the "Battle Hymn of the Republic".

Joined by America's Orchestra, the National Symphony Orchestra, and performing it tonight is one of the world's most celebrated opera superstars.

She comes from a military family, she's performed in concert stages around the world, and she's here with us tonight.

Please welcome, two-time Grammy award winning soprano, Angel Blue.

[APPLAUSE] [MUSIC: Battle Hymn of the Republic] [INSTRUMENTAL INTRO] ANGEL BLUE: ♪ MINE EYES HAVE SEEN THE GLORY ♪ ♪ ♪ OF THE COMING OF THE LORD ♪ ♪ HE IS TRAMPLING OUT THE ♪ VINTAGE ♪ ♪ WHERE THE GRAPES OF WRATH ARE ♪ STORED ♪ ♪ HE HATH LOOSED THE FATEFUL ♪ LIGHTNING ♪ ♪ OF HIS TERRIBLE SWIFT SWORD ♪ ♪ HIS TRUTH IS MARCHING ON ♪ ANGEL/CHOIR: ♪ GLORY, GLORY HALLELUJAH ♪ ♪ GLORY, GLORY HALLELUJAH ♪ ♪ GLORY, GLORY HALLELUJAH ♪ ♪ HIS TRUTH IS MARCHING ON ♪ ♪ I HAVE SEEN HIM IN THE ♪ WATCH-FIRES ♪ ♪ OF A HUNDRED CIRCLING CAMPS ♪ ♪ THEY HAVE BUILDED HIM AN ALTAR ♪ ♪ ♪ IN THE EVENING DEWS AND DAMPS ♪ ♪ ♪ I CAN READ HIS RIGHTEOUS ♪ SENTENCE ♪ ♪ BY THE DIM AND FLARING LAMPS ♪ ♪ HIS DAY IS MARCHING ON ♪ ♪ GLORY, GLORY HALLELUJAH ♪ ♪ GLORY, GLORY HALLELUJAH ♪ ♪ GLORY, GLORY HALLELUJAH ♪ ♪ HIS TRUTH IS MARCHING ON ♪ ♪ IN THE BEAUTY OF THE LILIES ♪ ♪ CHRIST WAS BORN ACROSS THE SEA ♪ ♪ ♪ WITH A GLORY IN HIS BOSOM THAT ♪ ♪ ♪ TRANSFIGURES YOU AND ME ♪ ♪ AS HE DIED TO MAKE MEN HOLY ♪ ♪ LET US DIE TO MAKE MEN FREE ♪ ♪ WHILE GOD IS MARCHING ON ♪ ♪ GLORY, GLORY HALLELUJAH ♪ ♪ GLORY, GLORY HALLELUJAH ♪ ♪ GLORY, GLORY HALLELUJAH ♪ ♪ HIS TRUTH ♪ ♪ IS MARCHING ♪ ♪ ON ♪ ♪ AMEN ♪ ♪ AMEN ♪ ♪ AMEN ♪ ♪ AMEN ♪ Happy birthday, America!

[APPLAUSE] 1344 01:01:20,309 --> 01:01:20,976 ALFONSO: Wow.

Thank you, Angel.

So beautiful.

And now let's check in again with Loren Allred at Mount Vernon.

LOREN: Alfonso, we're just minutes away from the fireworks.

And for everyone here, back at the U.S.

Capitol or watching at home, like and share the posts on your social media, or post your 250th photos and videos on your favorite platform.

Be sure to use our hashtag.

Alfonso now back to you at the U.S.

Capitol.

ALFONSO: And now it's a true honor to share one of our nation's greatest patriotic songs performed by one of America's greatest country music singers.

With his Nashville performance of "America the Beautiful", here is Alan Jackson.

ALAN JACKSON: ♪ O BEAUTIFUL FOR SPACIOUS SKIES ♪ ♪ ♪ FOR AMBER WAVES OF GRAIN ♪ ♪ FOR PURPLE MOUNTAIN MAJESTIES ♪ ♪ ♪ ABOVE THE FRUITED PLAIN ♪ ♪ AMERICA, AMERICA ♪ ♪ GOD SHED HIS GRACE ON THEE ♪ ♪ AND CROWN THY GOOD WITH ♪ BROTHERHOOD ♪ ♪ FROM SEA TO SHINING SEA ♪ ♪ O BEAUTIFUL FOR PATRIOT DREAM ♪ ♪ ♪ THAT SEES BEYOND THE YEARS ♪ ♪ THINE ALABASTER CITIES GLEAM ♪ ♪ UNDIMMED BY HUMAN TEARS ♪ ♪ AMERICA, AMERICA ♪ ♪ GOD SHED HIS GRACE ON THEE ♪ ♪ AND CROWN THY GOOD WITH ♪ BROTHERHOOD ♪ ♪ FROM SEA TO SHINING SEA ♪ ♪ AND CROWN THY GOOD WITH ♪ BROTHERHOOD ♪ ♪ FROM SEA TO SHINING SEA ♪ ♪ Oh beautiful!

♪ Very special.

There are so many great traditions on A Capitol Fourth: the fireworks, the way we feature every genre of music from our 250-year history, the performances of America's orchestra, the National Symphony Orchestra, and one that we feature when we pay tribute to our nation's Olympic and Paralympic athletes from Team USA.

This past winter our athletes set a record at the 2026 Winter Olympic Games in Milan-Cortina, capturing a total of 33 medals: 12 gold, 12 silver, and 9 bronze.

This beat the previous American record of 10 gold set 24 years ago in Salt Lake City.

And right now, across the country, there are thousands of our greatest athletes training hard to represent us in 2028 when the Summer games are held in Los Angeles.

I am honored to introduce some special guests, 10 Olympians and Paralympians from Team USA.

Please welcome Sophia Kirkby from Lake Placid, New York, luge.

Matt Thums from Ogema, Wisconsin, wheelchair curling.

Maxim Naumov from Norwood, Massachusetts, figure skating.

Luc Violette from Lake Stevens, Washington, curling.

Liam Cunningham from River Falls, Wisconsin, sled hockey.

Mia Manganello from Crestview, Florida, speedskating.

Brett Bolton from Rockledge, Florida, sled hockey.

Danny O'Shea from Colorado Springs, Colorado, figure skating.

Nick Baumgartner from Iron River, Michigan, snowboarding.

Ethan Cepuran from Glen Ellyn, Illinois, speedskating.

Our Olympians and Paralympians, let's show them some love!

USA!

USA!

USA!

ALFONSO: And now A Capitol Fourth pays tribute to all of our nation's Olympians and Paralympians as the National Symphony Orchestra performs John Williams' iconic "Olympic Fanfare".

[MUSIC: Olympic Fanfare - INSTRUMENTAL] ♪ ♪ ♪ 1465 01:08:43,886 --> 01:08:48,090 ALFONSO: How inspiring was that!

Beautiful!

Tonight's concert is truly coast-to-coast.

Let's head west for a message from a longtime friend of this concert and our National Memorial Day Concert.

JOE MANTEGNA: Joe Mantegna here, coming to you from the set of Criminal Minds in Los Angeles.

There have been so many great bands that have performed on A Capitol Fourth.

But right at the top is a band from my hometown.

I've known them for over 60 years and watched as they went from being a great local band to becoming a worldwide sensation.

They've sold over 100 million records, and are in the Grammy and Rock and Roll Halls of Fame.

I so wish I could be there tonight but, I'm thrilled to be able to present them to you.

They're taking the stage right now, give it up for Chicago!

[APPLAUSE] [MUSIC: Saturday In The Park] [INSTRUMENTAL INTRO] ERIC BAINES: ♪ SATURDAY ♪ ♪ IN THE PARK ♪ ♪ I THINK IT WAS THE FOURTH OF ♪ JULY ♪ ♪ SATURDAY ♪ ♪ IN THE PARK ♪ ♪ I THINK IT WAS THE FOURTH OF ♪ JULY ♪ ♪ PEOPLE DANCING ♪ ♪ PEOPLE LAUGHING ♪ ♪ A MAN SELLING ICE CREAM ♪ ♪ SINGING ITALIAN SONGS ♪ ♪ EH CUMPARI ♪ ♪ CI VO SUNARI ♪ ♪ CAN YOU DIG IT?

♪ ♪ (YES, I CAN) ♪ ♪ AND I'VE BEEN WAITING SUCH A ♪ LONG TIME ♪ ♪ FOR SATURDAY ♪ ♪ HEY, HEY ♪ [INSTRUMENTAL] ♪ ANOTHER DAY ♪ ♪ IN THE PARK ♪ ♪ I THINK IT WAS THE FOURTH OF ♪ JULY ♪ ♪ ANOTHER DAY ♪ ♪ IN THE PARK ♪ ♪ MUST HAVE BEEN THE FOURTH OF ♪ JULY ♪ ♪ PEOPLE TALKING ♪ ♪ REALLY SMILING ♪ ♪ A MAN PLAYING GUITAR ♪ ♪ (PLAY THE SONG, PLAY ON) ♪ ♪ AND SINGING FOR US ALL ♪ ♪ WILL YOU HELP HIM ♪ ♪ CHANGE THE WORLD ♪ ♪ CAN YOU DIG IT?

♪ ♪ (YES, I CAN) ♪ ♪ AND I'VE BEEN WAITING SUCH A ♪ LONG TIME ♪ ♪ FOR TODAY ♪ ♪ SLOW MOTION RIDERS ♪ ♪ FLY THE COLOURS OF THE DAY ♪ ♪ A BRONZE MAN ♪ ♪ STILL CAN ♪ ♪ TELL STORIES HIS OWN WAY ♪ ♪ LISTEN CHILDREN ♪ ♪ ALL IS NOT LOST ♪ ♪ ALL IS NOT LOST ♪ ♪ OH NO, NO ♪ [INSTRUMENTAL] ♪ FUNNY DAYS ♪ ♪ IN THE PARK ♪ ♪ EVERY DAY'S THE FOURTH OF JULY ♪ ♪ ♪ FUNNY DAYS ♪ ♪ IN THE PARK ♪ ♪ EVERY DAY'S THE FOURTH OF JULY ♪ ♪ ♪ PEOPLE REACHING ♪ ♪ PEOPLE TOUCHING ♪ ♪ A REAL CELEBRATION ♪ ♪ WAITING FOR US ALL ♪ ♪ (WAITING FOR US ALL) ♪ ♪ IF YOU WANT IT ♪ ♪ REALLY WANT IT ♪ ♪ CAN YOU DIG IT?

♪ ♪ (YES, I CAN) ♪ ♪ AND I'VE BEEN WAITING SUCH A ♪ LONG TIME ♪ ♪ FOR THE DAY ♪ ♪ YEAH, YEAH, YEAH ♪ ♪ WOAH-WOAH-WOAH-WOAH ♪ ♪ MMM-MMM ♪ ♪ MMM-MMM ♪ [APPLAUSE] RUDY CARDENAS: ♪ AFTER WHAT YOU'VE MEANT TO ME ♪ ♪ ♪ OOH BABY NOW ♪ ♪ I CAN MAKE IT EASILY ♪ ♪ YEAH, YEAH, YEAH ♪ ♪ I KNOW THAT WE BOTH AGREE ♪ ♪ BEST THING TO HAPPEN TO YOU ♪ ♪ THE BEST THING THAT HAPPENED ♪ TO ME ♪ ♪ YEAH, YEAH, YEAH ♪ [INSTRUMENTAL] ♪ FEELING STRONGER EVERY DAY ♪ ♪ FEELING STRONGER EVERY DAY ♪ ♪ FEELING STRONGER EVERY DAY ♪ ♪ (YOU KNOW I'M ALRIGHT NOW) ♪ ♪ FEELING STRONGER EVERY DAY ♪ ♪ (YOU KNOW I'M ALRIGHT NOW) ♪ ♪ FEELING STRONGER EVERY DAY ♪ ♪ (YOU KNOW I'M ALRIGHT NOW) ♪ >> Happy birthday, America!

♪ FEELING STRONGER EVERY DAY ♪ ♪ (YOU KNOW I'M ALRIGHT NOW) ♪ ♪ FEELING STRONGER EVERY DAY ♪ ♪ (YOU KNOW I'M ALRIGHT NOW) ♪ ♪ FEELING STRONGER EVERY DAY ♪ ♪ (YOU KNOW I'M ALRIGHT NOW) ♪ ♪ FEELING STRONGER EVERY DAY ♪ ♪ (YOU KNOW I'M ALRIGHT NOW) ♪ ♪ FEELING STRONGER EVERY DAY ♪ [INSTRUMENTAL OUTRO] [APPLAUSE] [INSTRUMENTAL INTRO] ♪ WAITING FOR THE BREAK OF DAY ♪ ♪ SEARCHING FOR SOMETHING TO SAY ♪ ♪ ♪ FLASHING LIGHTS AGAINST THE ♪ SKY ♪ ♪ GIVING UP, I CLOSE MY EYES ♪ ♪ SITTING CROSS-LEGGED ON THE ♪ FLOOR ♪ ♪ TWENTY-FIVE OR SIX TO FOUR ♪ [INSTRUMENTAL] ♪ STARING BLINDLY INTO SPACE ♪ ♪ GETTING UP TO SPLASH MY FACE ♪ ♪ WANTING JUST TO STAY AWAKE ♪ ♪ WONDERING HOW MUCH I CAN TAKE ♪ ♪ ♪ SHOULD I TRY TO DO SOME MORE?

♪ ♪ ♪ TWENTY-FIVE OR SIX TO FOUR ♪ ♪ OH YEAH ♪ [INSTRUMENTAL - GUITAR] ♪ ♪ ♪ 1628 01:18:37,179 --> 01:18:41,116 ♪ FEELING LIKE I OUGHT TO SLEEP ♪ ♪ ♪ SPINNING ROOM IS SINKING DEEP ♪ ♪ ♪ WANTING JUST TO STAY AWAKE ♪ ♪ WAITING FOR THE BREAK OF DAY ♪ ♪ TWENTY-FIVE OR SIX TO FOUR ♪ ♪ TWENTY-FIVE OR SIX TO FOUR ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ [APPLAUSE] 1639 01:20:11,273 --> 01:20:17,345 ALFONSO: How great was Chicago?

Made me want to do all of my routine from dancing with the stars this year.

Wow, that was great.

Now, please take out your phones, turn on your flashlights, and wave them as the Joint Armed Forces Chorus performs "Let Freedom Ring".

[MUSIC: Let Freedom Ring] [INSTRUMENTAL INTRO] CHORUS: ♪ LET FREEDOM RING ♪ ♪ FOR THE CHILDREN OF EVERY ♪ GENERATION ♪ ♪ MAY THE LOVE OF FREEDOM ALWAYS ♪ RING ♪ ♪ AND LET EVERYONE SING ALONG ♪ ♪ IT'S A DREAM TO BUILD UPON ♪ ♪ (IT'S A DREAM TO BUILD UPON) ♪ ♪ WE TAKE THE DREAM AND PASS IT ♪ ON ♪ ♪ (TAKE THE DREAM PASS IT ON) ♪ ♪ AND ON AND ON AND ON ♪ ♪ AND LET FREEDOM SING ♪ ♪ (LET FREEDOM SING) ♪ ♪ LET FREEDOM ♪ ♪ LET FREEDOM RING ♪ ♪ FOR THE CHILDREN OF EVERY ♪ GENERATION ♪ ♪ MAY THE LOVE OF FREEDOM ALWAYS ♪ RING ♪ ♪ IT HAS BROUGHT US THIS FAR ♪ ♪ IT PROCLAIMS WHO WE ARE ♪ ♪ AND TOGETHER WE SING ♪ ♪ LET FREEDOM RING ♪ ♪ PEOPLE EVERYWHERE LET FREEDOM ♪ RING ♪ ♪ PEOPLE EVERYWHERE LET FREEDOM ♪ RING ♪ ♪ PEOPLE ALL OVER THE WORLD ♪ ♪ LET FREEDOM RING ♪ ♪ PEOPLE EVERYWHERE LET FREEDOM ♪ RING ♪ ♪ PEOPLE EVERYWHERE LET FREEDOM ♪ RING ♪ ♪ PEOPLE ALL OVER THE WORLD ♪ ♪ LET FREEDOM RING ♪ ♪ PEOPLE EVERYWHERE LET FREEDOM ♪ RING ♪ ♪ PEOPLE EVERYWHERE LET FREEDOM ♪ RING ♪ ♪ PEOPLE ALL OVER THE WORLD ♪ ♪ LET FREEDOM RING ♪ ♪ PEOPLE EVERYWHERE LET FREEDOM ♪ RING ♪ ♪ PEOPLE EVERYWHERE LET FREEDOM ♪ RING ♪ ♪ PEOPLE ALL OVER THE WORLD ♪ ♪ LET FREEDOM RING ♪ ♪ PEOPLE EVERYWHERE LET FREEDOM ♪ RING ♪ ♪ PEOPLE EVERYWHERE LET FREEDOM ♪ RING ♪ ♪ LET FREEDOM RING ♪ [APPLAUSE] ALFONSO: And now with the fireworks lighting up the sky over George Washington's Mount Vernon, Maestro Jack Everly is about to lead the National Symphony Orchestra in performing the "1812 Overture".

♪ ♪ ♪ 1715 01:23:47,489 --> 01:23:55,663 CHOIR: ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ MIGHTY LORD GOD, KEEP US ♪ ♪ SAFE FROM JEOPARDY.

♪ ♪ TAKE THEE NOW OUR FAITH ♪ ♪ AND LOUD ♪ ♪ CRY IN PENITENCE.

♪ ♪ GRANT OUR VICT'RY ♪ ♪ O'ER OUR ENEMIES SO ♪ TREACHEROUS ♪ ♪ AND BRING OUR LAND A LASTING ♪ PEACE.

♪ ♪ MIGHTY LORD OUR GOD ♪ ♪ HEAR OUR LOWLY PRAY'R ♪ ♪ GRANT THY SHINING HOLY LIGHT ♪ [INSTRUMENTAL - CANNON HITS] CHOIR: ♪ GRANT US, LORD, PEACE AGAIN ♪ ♪ OH MIGHTY LORD ♪ ♪ HEAR OUR PRAY'R ♪ ♪ AND SAVE OUR PEOPLE ♪ ♪ FOREVER!

♪ [INSTRUMENTAL - GRAND FINALE - CANNONS] [APPLAUSE] ALFONSO: Our 250th birthday party is still going strong.

To perform more patriotic favorites, accompanied by the U.S.

Army Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps and the U.S.

Army Herald Trumpets, here is the U.S.

Army Band, Pershing's Own.

[APPLAUSE] [MUSIC - INSTRUMENTAL] ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ 1753 01:28:51,793 --> 01:28:55,730 ALFONSO: Stay tuned, because immediately after we finish tonight's show there is an encore performance of A Capitol Fourth on many of your local public television stations.

And now let's head back to George Washington's Mount Vernon for more fireworks as Loren Allred performs "God Bless America".

[MUSIC: God Bless America] [INSTRUMENTAL INTRO] ♪ GOD BLESS ♪ ♪ AMERICA ♪ ♪ LAND THAT ♪ ♪ I LOVE ♪ ♪ STAND BESIDE HER ♪ ♪ AND GUIDE HER ♪ ♪ THROUGH THE NIGHT ♪ ♪ WITH A LIGHT ♪ ♪ FROM ABOVE ♪ ♪ FROM THE MOUNTAINS ♪ ♪ TO THE PRAIRIES ♪ ♪ TO THE OCEANS ♪ ♪ WHITE WITH FOAM ♪ ♪ GOD BLESS ♪ ♪ AMERICA ♪ ♪ MY HOME ♪ ♪ SWEET ♪ ♪ HOME ♪ ♪ GOD BLESS ♪ ♪ AMERICA ♪ ♪ MY HOME ♪ ♪ SWEET ♪ ♪ HOME ♪ [INSTRUMENTAL] LOREN: Come on, everyone, sing along!

♪ GOD BLESS ♪ ♪ AMERICA ♪ ♪ LAND THAT ♪ ♪ I LOVE ♪ ♪ STAND BESIDE HER ♪ ♪ AND GUIDE HER ♪ ♪ THROUGH THE NIGHT WITH A LIGHT ♪ ♪ ♪ FROM ABOVE ♪ ♪ FROM THE MOUNTAINS ♪ ♪ TO THE PRAIRIES ♪ ♪ TO THE OCEANS ♪ ♪ WHITE WITH FOAM ♪ ♪ GOD BLESS ♪ ♪ AMERICA ♪ ♪ MY HOME ♪ ♪ SWEET ♪ ♪ HOME ♪ ♪ GOD BLESS ♪ ♪ AMERICA ♪ ♪ MY HOME ♪ ♪ SWEET ♪ ♪ HOME ♪ [APPLAUSE] ALFONSO: God bless America!

Thank you so much for joining us!

♪ ♪ ♪ 1821 01:32:38,352 --> 01:32:40,287 ANNOUNCER: A Capitol Fourth: 250th Weekend Celebration is made possible by.

The Boeing Company.

VO: This Independence Day, we come together to celebrate our nation.

Honoring our history and enjoying the time spent with loved ones.

As we look ahead to creating great memories.

We stand united and celebrate together.

ANNOUNCER: And by the National Park Service and the Department of the Army.

For comments, suggestions and information, visit us at PBS.org/CapitolFourth or join the conversation on our social media.

♪