| A Capitol Fourth | |
|---|---|
.png) 35th anniversary | |
| Genre | Music/performing arts |
| Opening theme | "The Star-Spangled Banner" (except 1986) 1812 Overture (1986 only) |
| Ending theme | 1812 Overture (except 1986) "The Star-Spangled Banner" (1986 only) |
| Country of origin | United States |
| Original language | English |
| No. of episodes | 45 |
| Production | |
| Production locations | National Mall,Washington, D.C. (1980–2019; 2022–present); broadcast but not live (2020–2021) |
| Camera setup | Multi-camera setup |
| Running time | 90 minutes |
| Original release | |
| Network | PBS |
| Release | July 4, 1980 (1980-07-04) – present |
A Capitol Fourth is an annualIndependence Dayconcertspecial broadcast byPBS. It is presented from the west lawn of theUnited States Capitol Building inWashington, D.C., and is also simulcast byNPR and theAmerican Forces Network.
The concert typically features performances by guest musicians, as well as the3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard), the United States Army Presidential Salute Guns Battery, theU.S. Army Band (Pershing's Own), theNational Symphony Orchestra, Patrick Lundy and The Ministers of Music,U.S. Army Herald Trumpets and theChoral Arts Society of Washington.[1][2]
One journalist described the event as "a mix of patriotism and pop culture ... as the National Symphony Orchestra launched into Tchaikovsky's1812 Overture with accompaniment from an Army artillery squad, a spectacular fireworks display erupted over the Washington Monument. There was something special about being in the nation's capital on Independence Day, surrounded by a few hundred thousand of our fellow citizens."[3]
The National Symphony Orchestra began performing Independence Day concerts on the west lawn in 1979. Two years later, the first concert telecast was hosted byE. G. Marshall, with conductorMstislav Rostropovich and performerPearl Bailey. It has since become the highest-rated show on PBS.[4][5]
In 2005,A Capitol Fourth begins to broadcast inhigh definition, with broadcasts in aletterboxed format for viewers withstandard-definition television sets watching via eithercable orsatellite television. The program also introduced a new graphics package to HD.[6]
In 2019, the concert was held alongsideSalute to America, a separate Independence Day event organized primarily by then-PresidentDonald Trump. The organizers ofA Capitol Fourth indicated that their show remains an independent production that is not affiliated with Trump's event.[7][8]
In 2020, the in-person concert was cancelled due to theCOVID-19 pandemic, although some performances were still recorded live remotely. The special instead incorporated pre-recorded performances (including one that paid tribute to first responders), although the fireworks on the Capitol were still broadcast live.[9] Although restrictions have since been lifted in Washington, D.C., the in-person concert was cancelled again for 2021, as the show had already been planned in advance under the presumption that the in-person concert could not be held.[10] In 2022, after two years of cancellation of the in-person concert, the show returned to the West Lawn of the Capitol.[11]
Tony Danza has served as host twice, in 1998[12] and 2007.[13]Barry Bostwick hosted during several consecutive years prior to 2006, whenJason Alexander hosted. After Danza's second time,Jimmy Smits hosted for the following four years.Tom Bergeron hosted from 2012 to 2014, and again in 2016.Bradley Whitford served as host in 2015.John Stamos hosted in 2017, 2018, and 2019, and co-hosted withVanessa Williams in 2020.[14][15][16] Williams hosted the show in 2021, and also performed "God Bless America" and "Lift Every Voice and Sing". The 2022 edition was hosted byMickey Guyton.Alfonso Ribiero hosted the concert since 2023.Erich Kunzel was music director until his death in 2009.Jack Everly took over as music director.
Performers over the years have includedRoberta Flack andMarvin Hamlisch (1987);Suzy Bogguss (1998);Lee Ann Womack andRay Charles (2000);Chuck Berry,Aaron Carter andAretha Franklin (2002);John Williams,Dolly Parton andKristin Chenoweth (2003);Robin Gibb andClay Aiken (2004);Stevie Wonder (2006);Hayden Panettiere,Little Richard, andBebe Neuwirth (2007);Huey Lewis and the News,Taylor Hicks, andJerry Lee Lewis (2008);Aretha Franklin,Barry Manilow,Andrew von Oeyen, and the cast ofJersey Boys (2009);Gladys Knight,Lang Lang, andReba McEntire (2010);Jordin Sparks,Kelli O'Hara,Matthew Morrison,Steve Martin, and theSteep Canyon Rangers;[17]Josh Groban, Little Richard, and the cast ofMillion Dollar Quartet (2011);Megan Hilty,Phillip Phillips,Matthew Broderick,Kelli O’Hara,Javier Colón,Kool & the Gang,Apolo Ohno, andJohn Williams (2012); and Williams, Hilty, Manilow,Neil Diamond,Jackie Evancho,Candice Glover,Scotty McCreery, and the cast ofMotown: The Musical (2013).[2][4][18]
The 2017 performers includedThe Beach Boys (withMark McGrath and hostJohn Stamos, who played drums and guitar),The Four Tops,Dan Aykroyd andJim Belushi asThe Blues Brothers,Kellie Pickler (her dress rehearsal performance was shown due to Pickler's illness),Trace Adkins,Yolanda Adams,Chris Blue,Sam Moore,Laura Osnes, andSofia Carson, who performed the national anthem.[19]
The 2025 edition marksThe Beach Boys' first televised performance since the death of founder and memberBrian Wilson.
The concert usually begins with theAmerican national anthem by the National Symphony Orchestra and the U.S. Army Herald Trumpets, accompanied by a recording artist (since 2015, the national anthem has been sung by a female singer) while the last line "and the home of the brave" was sung with a choir. Following live entertainment, its finale begins with a rendition ofTchaikovsky's1812 Overture by the National Symphony Orchestra (complete with cannon fire from theUnited States Army Presidential Salute Guns Battery and the concluding verse sung by the Choral Arts Society of Washington), and theNational Park Service'sfireworks show above theWashington Monument. Following the1812 Overture, a series ofJohn Philip Sousa's best-known marches are played by the United States Army Band and the U.S. Army Herald Trumpets.[18][20]
The sole exception was in 1986 when1812 Overture opened that year’s concert, concluding with the national anthem sung by 5 military chorus groups conducted byHenry Mancini and the national symphony orchestra.
The National Artistic Achievement Award has been presented on six occasions during the program for the performer's "dedication to enriching the national legacy of the performing arts":[20]