July 4, 2021 marks the 245th anniversary of our country’s independence, and no celebration captures the American spirit quite like A Capitol Fourth. Now in its forty-first consecutive year, this top-rated PBS special features stunning musical performances and sweeping coverage of the greatest fireworks display in the nation — all broadcast from the heart of Washington D.C.
In the four decades since the humble beginning of A Capitol Fourth, countless superstars — including Frankie Valli, Patti LaBelle, John Williams, Stevie Wonder, Aretha Franklin, Reba McEntire, Carole King, Neil Diamond, Dolly Parton, Steve Martin, Josh Groban, Gloria Estefan, Huey Lewis and the News, Little Richard, Tony Bennett, Faith Hill, Ray Charles, the Bee Gees, Kenny G, Aaron Neville, Kenny Rogers, and the Muppets from Sesame Street — have offered the best in American entertainment and set the tone for a spectacular celebration.
Performers for 2021 include: hit singer and actress Vanessa Williams; Grammy Award-winning legend Gladys Knight; Country Music Hall of Famer Alan Jackson; singer-songwriter Jimmy Buffett; Broadway star Cynthia Erivo; vocal sensation Pentatonix; critically-acclaimed soprano Renée Fleming; Grammy and Billboard Award-winning band Train; HBO star Jennifer Nettles; rising country artist Mickey Guyton; multi-platinum recording artist Jimmie Allen; singer and actress Auli'i Cravalho (Moana); Broadway performer Laura Osnes; and Tony Award-winning actress Ali Stroker.
Signature military performances include: the Joint Armed Forces Chorus, the United States Army Band "Pershing's Own," the U.S. Army Herald Trumpets, and the National Symphony Orchestra under the direction of top pops conductor Jack Everly. State and territorial flags will be presented by the Armed Forces Color Guard and the Military District of Washington (MDW).
A national favorite, A Capitol Fourth is broadcast to millions of PBS viewers at home and to our troops watching around the world.
This year's edition of A Capitol Fourth airs on WSBE Rhode Island PBS Sunday, July 4 at 8:00 and 9:30 p.m. The concert will also be available for streaming on Facebook, YouTube, and www.pbs.org/a-capitol-fourth.
WSBE Rhode Island PBS transmits over the air in high definition on digital 36.1; Cox 08 / 1008HD, Verizon FiOS 08 / 508HD, and Full Channel 08; Comcast 819HD and Verizon FiOS 18 / 518HD in MA; DirecTV 36, Dish Network 36. Live stream the full broadcast schedule at watch.ripbs.org/livestream.