The Concert
Country star Reba McEntire performs at the 2010 A Capitol Fourth concert.
CONCERT HIGHLIGHTS
In the three decades since A Capitol Fourth’s humble beginning, a parade of superstars — including Stevie Wonder, Aretha Franklin, Reba McEntire, Natasha Bedingfield, Barry Manilow, Dolly Parton, Gloria Estefan, Huey Lewis and the News, Little Richard, Tony Bennett, Faith Hill, Ray Charles, the Bee Gees, Kenny G, Aaron Neville and Kenny Rogers and the Muppets from Sesame Street — have offered the best in American entertainment and helped set the tone for a spectacular American birthday party.
There’s been an Independence Day celebration for 235 years — since the signing of the Declaration of Independence in Philadelphia, our first Capitol. A Capitol Fourth is still celebrating Independence Day on the lawn of the current Capitol, with patriotic performances and the biggest, most distinctive fireworks display in the nation. It’s a great place to be on July 4th.
Tchaikovsky’s ‘1812 Overture’ is played each year on the show accompanied by the brilliant fireworks display over the Washington Monument. It’s a crowd pleaser and A Capitol Fourth tradition.
On the 2010 A Capitol Fourth, classical pianist Lang Lang, dubbed one of Time magazine's 100 Most Influential People in the World, treated the crowd to a soul-stirring rendition of John Phillips Sousa’s “Stars and Stripes Forever.”
On a previous A Capitol Fourth, everybody’s favorite Muppet – Elmo – sang a heartfelt "Happy Birthday America" accompanied by the renowned National Symphony Orchestra under the direction of Maestro Erich Kunzel.
The Marine Drum and Bugle Corps performed favorite American marches at the Grant Statue while the fireworks exploded over the city.