A Capitol Fourth

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A Capitol Fourth is a free annual concert performed on the west lawn of the United States Capitol Building in Washington, D.C., in celebration of the Fourth of July. Broadcasted live on PBS and NPR, the concert is viewed and heard by millions across the country and the world, as well as attended by more than half a million people at the Capitol.

On Friday, July 4, 2008, the 28th annual broadcast of A Capitol Fourth will air live on PBS and NPR. The 2008 show will be hosted by Broadway, film, and television actor Jimmy Smits with performances by Huey Lewis and The News, 2006 American Idol winner Taylor Hicks, Jerry Lee Lewis, Brian Stokes Mitchell, Harolyn Blackwell, and Hayley Westenra.

The concert traditionally features the National Symphony Orchestra, who provide much of the music during the show for various celebrity artists (which in 2007 included Hayden Panettiere, Little Richard, Elliott Yamin, and others). A celebrity host (actor Tony Danza in 2007, actor/comedian Jason Alexander in 2006, Barry Bostwick during several consecutive years prior to 2006) and a variety guests entertain and pay tribute to their country throughout the evening.^[1]

The concert finale begins with a rendition of Tchaikovsky's 1812 Overture by the National Symphony Orchestra (complete with cannon fire from the United States Army Presidential Salute Battery) and the National Park Service's fireworks show above the Washington Monument. Following the 1812 Overture, a series of John Philip Sousa's best-known marches are played.