Home, 250 from American Village in Montevallo, Alabama's official celebration of America's 250th anniversary, brought to you by Thompson Tractor.

And we are live here at the American Village in Montevallo for Sweet Home.

250 the state's official recognition and celebration of the American two 50th anniversary right here in the heart of Alabama.

And I'm Todd Stacey, host of Capitol Journal here on Alabama Public Television.

So pleased to be joined by my co-host, Melanie Posey.

Melanie.

Good evening.

Happy 4th of July.

>> Happy 4th of July.

Happy Independence Day.

However you celebrate it.

>> Happy to you.

That's right.

Well, look, I'm we've been waiting for this.

>> We have we have.

>> The anticipation of.

You know, I wasn't around for 1976.

I heard so many cool things about that.

I was but.

>> But I was little.

Let me make that distinction.

>> But the anticipation of our country being able to celebrate 250 years and everything that's gone into it.

Yes.

I don't think we could be in a better place than right here at American Village.

You know, we saw the Capital Fourth last night.

By the way.

It's going to come up again after this broadcast.

Yes.

And that's that's so special to be in Washington, D.C.

but this is America.

This is the heart and soul of America.

And what they've done here at American Village to, you know, promote this event, all the acts that are going to come.

I'm just really thrilled to be here.

>> I mean, this is really, if you're going to do a celebration like this, this is where you want to be.

I mean, this is living history, right in the making, just celebrating what this country was founded on.

All of the ideals, all of the replicas.

It's just so touching and heartwarming.

So such a treat to be here with you to, to be with everyone at home that is watching who decided they, they might have been smarter to not come out to the heat.

But we've got you covered tonight.

>> Okay.

Well, I want to talk about what we've got coming up.

Absolutely.

Here on the on this broadcast.

Really for the whole show?

Yes.

We've got musicians Anthony Crawford and Savannah Lee.

That's going to be really interesting.

I've heard them compared to Johnny Cash and June Carter.

>> Okay.

>> We're going to be here on set talking with Colonel Alan Miller of the American Village, also with Senator Arthur Orr.

He's the chairman?

Yes.

You know, of the subsequent the two 50th Commission.

I can't I can't say.

>> That word.

>> Yes.

The big featured performer of this this 250 celebration are the Blind Boys of Alabama.

And we're both really excited about that.

That's going to be awesome.

We're going to be talking with Miss Alabama Ruby Tillman.

We you're going to get a chance to go to the Independence Ball.

Absolutely.

Down the hill.

That sounds.

>> Pretty fun.

Absolutely.

Celebrate.

>> And I'm really interested about this the new declaration of Principles.

We we were here yesterday and saw we get a tour a little bit.

Yes.

That's going to be interesting because it's in engaging the attendees here in signing the Declaration of Principles, the Montevallo Community Band is going to be performing a lot of patriotic tunes, including the national anthem.

Yes.

A flyover from the 187th Fighter Wing out of Montgomery.

And of course, the two the Sweet Home 250 main program.

That's man, that's going to be really cool.

Very special.

A lot of reenactments and things like that.

And of course, fireworks.

>> The big finale.

Absolutely.

That so many people are looking forward to.

You know, this has really been and we talked about this.

This is not just going on just today.

This has been a two day festival that really has included so many different things, so many different acts, 17 music acts across the two days, celebrity chefs eating contests, military re-enactments, attractions, artwork, also just from movies from around the state.

And of course, you get to hear from different figures dressed all in garb and costume traditional garb, where they take you back to the days of the 1700s and just really bring that to life one on one if you want, if you prefer to have that.

>> Oh, absolutely.

My parents are here and they got to see Patrick Henry.

>> Okay.

>> You know, give me liberty or give.

>> Me death.

>> They got to see Thomas Jefferson.

Yes.

And Eliza Hamilton.

Okay.

So, I mean, they're they're really taking in all the history and it's been fun.

We're just there.

I think the doors are closed, but everything's coming outside now.

Yes.

But it's been.

Yeah.

You're right.

Two days worth of celebration of independence, of, like you said, the nation's ideals.

And I can't wait to talk more about that with our guests.

>> Absolutely.

You know, and if you have never been to American Village, you've really got to come this way.

It's really a special treat.

It's really a treasure and a jewel that we have in our state here.

And I was just doing a little bit of research before, and there have been millions, millions of school children who have come here.

And this has only been open since 1999.

So not that long, not even 30 years yet, but already so many who have taken advantage of it.

But if you haven't had the chance, I'm sure that they would love to have you come out and just enjoy it.

>> Absolutely.

We're going to be talking a lot about that in just a second.

Yes, we'll take a quick break and be back from here at American Village.

>> We're getting higher living in hopes that it never lets me down.

On the hills of tomorrow.

Dreams burn so bright.

Dreams of a girl standing alone in the night.

Under the sun.

Will you?

>> What did the land that would become Alabama look like during the American Revolution?

Parts of present day Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana and the Florida Panhandle were called West Florida and controlled by the British Empire.

Pensacola and Mobile were the two largest towns in West Florida.

Outside the settlements, the primary residents of Alabama were indigenous tribes, including the Creek, Choctaw, Cherokee and Chickasaw.

Because of its detachment from the 13 colonies, West Florida was left alone.

For the first three years of the revolution.

That changed after the Battle of Mobile and the subsequent siege of Pensacola, resulting in Spanish control of West Florida.

When the Treaty of Paris ended the Revolutionary War, the British relinquished all land east of the Mississippi River to the new nation.

>> Taking of what it provides.

>> And we're back here at the American Village for Sweet Home.

250 Alabama's official celebration of America's 250th birthday.

We told you that the featured performers this year are the Blind Boys of Alabama, and we are excited to have a member of the band.

>> Yes.

>> Ricky McKinnie, Ricky, thanks so much for making the time.

>> Yes.

>> Glad to be here.

Thanks for having us.

>> Oh my gosh.

Well, Ricky, let's talk a little bit about just your and the group's accolades.

A world renowned living legends of gospel music, the longest running music group in American history.

Winners of Lifetime Achievement Awards, inducted to the Gospel Hall of Fame, the Alabama Music Hall of Fame, and winners of one, two, three, four, five Grammys.

>> How about that?

>> It is such a treat for for you all to be here.

Of course, you all have performed all over the world.

What is it like and how does it feel to be back home for America's two 50th?

>> Well, you know, we're always glad to be back here.

This is where it all got started in Talladega, Alabama.

And we have been honored to have six Grammys now and.

>> Six, yes.

>> The Americana Music Association gave us we won a Grammy last year.

>> Okay.

>> The number one gospel roots album.

But, you know, it's always good to come back to Alabama because there's no place like home.

>> Absolutely.

>> That's right.

And what's it like to be a part of this incredible event?

America at 250, celebrated right here at the American Village.

And y'all are the featured performers.

Everybody's been waiting, anticipating y'all's performance.

>> Well, it feels good.

You know this is the beginning.

252 50 and, and by, by me saying that it it's, it's where it all got started.

Let you know that people are people all over the world and we're still doing the same thing, still celebrating, still letting people know that it's all about you.

It's not about, you know, one certain thing.

We're all just one big happy family.

And that's why we're here.

That's, that's what it was all about to 250 years ago.

>> Well, Ricky, I read I was listening to one of your interviews earlier this morning, and you said that what the blind boys present is feel good music.

So tell me what feel good music is, and what can folks expect when you all take the stage tonight?

>> Okay, feel good music, that music that make you feel good when you're feeling bad.

Music from the heart reaches the heart.

We try to sing music from the soul.

And tonight I tell you what we're going to feel.

You're going to have a great time.

We're going to sing some songs that's going to make you smile.

We're going to get you up.

You're going to sing a little bit with the Blind Boys, and we're going to do a little dance.

But you're talking about a time we're going to have a time.

So hey, don't don't go away.

I tell you what.

Tell somebody.

Tell somebody that the blind boys are back in town, folks.

>> Now let them know.

Check them out.

Check them out.

Todd.

>> You all right?

Yeah.

I mean, that's what I'm.

I'm really anticipating because this crowd has been out here really since this morning.

I've seen them set up their chairs.

It was interesting.

They were setting up their chairs and then going inside to the air conditioning, but they wanted to get all their seats taken care of.

But maybe they didn't anticipate room for dancing.

Should they have?

Should they leave room for dancing?

Is that we're going to need some some boogaloo shoes.

>> Oh, well, I'll tell you what.

We're going to dance.

We're going to sing along.

And the main thing we're going to do, we're going to have a good time.

We're going to let them know what 250 years mean.

You know, it was all about coming together.

Not one person, not one subject, but everybody is somebody.

And that's why we're here today.

Our music, we don't come to preach to you, but we're going to sing to you today.

>> I love it.

Well, we can talk a little bit about, just for you, what this day means for you.

If someone were to come to you and say, what is the one principle or ideal of this country that means the most to you?

Is it freedom?

Is it equality?

Is it the pursuit of happiness?

What would you say is most important to you today?

>> I see that all those things are most important to me.

Okay, it's good to know that people are still fighting for equality because right now we we're still we're always going to be going through something.

But it's good to be able to know that you do have a voice, you have a voice.

And, and also, when it comes to freedom, you have freedom of speech.

And, and that's the one thing about America.

America's is supposed to be a country where everybody is somebody and we sing gospel music, but we.

Just saying that to everybody is not designed just for one crowd of people.

And that's why people keep coming out, because we got something for everybody.

And we want people to know that ever since the beginning, ever since the beginning, it's been all about you and all about what you believe in.

So your voice is important.

>> Well said, well said, sir, look, thank you so much for making the time to come on our set.

We are really looking forward to your performance.

Absolutely.

And I guess we need to let you get off your feet a little bit.

Are you doing okay in the heat?

>> Oh well you know.

Oh, Alabama.

>> That's right.

>> Now are you all wearing this tonight?

>> I was about to say.

>> Yeah, this is our uniform for tonight.

And I'll tell you what.

We're going to have a good time.

We you're going to see some good harmonizing.

And when I leave the stage and when we leave the stage, you're going to say are they really blind?

No, no, no, we're not blind.

We just can't see.

>> I love that, I love that that's one of your mottos for sure.

Well, look, an early happy birthday to you because I understand in just a few days you're going to have your own birthday celebration, right?

>> In a few days, on July the 12th, I will be 74 years old, 74 years, and I've been doing this for 51 years.

And so I can tell you about the blind boys and, you know, because they all started at Talladega right here.

And it's just good to be back in Alabama.

And and I tell you what, you talking about a time, if you like doing a little dance, you like throwing your hand in the air you like.

I'll tell you what.

Don't sit beside somebody who won't let you have your way, because we're going to have a revival here today.

>> Okay.

I love it.

I heard that, I.

>> Heard that, I heard it, alright.

>> Can't wait.

Well, look, we are anticipating your performance.

We're going to go to the stage right now actually for Anthony Crawford and Savannah Lee who are performing live at the moment.

So let's take it to them.

>> All right.

Let's do it.

>> Well that took me back to mobile where I went before a court of law.

I took my right by the marshal side through the middle of the Mardi Gras.

I ended up in Homan.

It's where I spent my days working in a kitchen and learning prison ways.

Hey.

There's one thing that I left out to you.

I'm gonna tell.

That's the girl.

That pretty little girl that I didn't love so well.

If ever I gain my liberty.

Have bread and meat to choke.

I settle down with a baby.

That girl right after the Mardi Gras.

>> How's everybody doing?

Y'all still out there?

I know it's hot.

We love you.

We love you for celebrating this day, this 4th of July, and celebrating this country.

And we're so honored and proud to be here.

And thankful that they chose Alabama artists to represent this day here in Montevallo.

What a beautiful place it is here at American Village.

And I thank all the volunteers that's here.

And just thank you all for loving your country.

>> Okay.

And welcome back to Sweet Home.

250 here at the American Village in Montevallo.

I'm pleased to be joined by Colonel Alan Miller, the director here at the American Village, and also State Senator Arthur or chairman of the Senate Education Budget Committee.

Gentlemen, thanks for making the time.

Thank you.

>> I'm also chairman of the Semiquincentennial Commission.

>> Well of course.

Yeah.

So sorry to leave that out.

Of course.

Well, Alan, I want to start with you because first of all, congratulations.

This is a real hit.

I know so much has gone into making this happen.

Years worth of planning, starting with the commission, your staff, the volunteers.

So talk about what all went into making Sweet Home 250 a success.

>> Well, it was it was vitally important for us to get started planning early.

And so we we started that planning process about four years ago.

The commission and our legislature has been so incredibly supportive.

We had the resources to work with.

And that was vitally important.

We.

We did better than many of the original 13 colonies in terms of state support.

And that is what has allowed us to put on such a great celebration.

And as awesome as this celebration is, it shouldn't overshadow the the broader successes of this commission.

We had an education toolkit that focused on the founding principles that was downloaded at 33 states, grants in all 67 counties.

It's really been a tremendous effort all the way around.

>> Well, Senator, talk about that focus because, as he just said, it has been an incredible support from the legislature, from the commission.

Why was it so important for you all to make this a priority, not just with money, but with with all kinds of wraparound support?

>> Well, I chaired the Alabama Bicentennial Commission, and we got started early then.

And when 2019 happened, I knew we needed to get started on this.

And we sponsored the the resolution to get establish the commission in 2021 after Covid.

And then here we are.

It's been five years working up to this, but we've had a great partner in the American village because the ultimate goal was not only education and grants around the state, but was to elevate the stature of the village, not only in Alabama, but even in the southeast or nationally, because we've got a real treasure here and we want to market it, bring people to Alabama to see the village, and they're just getting started.

And we wanted to use this 250 to elevate and to promote the village.

And I think it's worked out well for us.

>> I couldn't agree more.

And I mean, you're right, this is I can't think of a better place to celebrate the 4th of July, but it's also a great commercial, if you will, for the American Village, the brand new or sort of new Independence Hall and everything that's interactive in there.

I'm really glad that we can help showcase that, because I hope it will lead to more folks finding you and finding the ways that students can come here and really live the American experience.

>> Well, it's been wildly successful.

We saw our education attendance increase by about 20% this year.

Wow.

And just that added capacity has helped so much.

But we also want to make sure that families understand that this is a great place to come in the summer.

We're open Tuesday through Saturday in the summertime.

You're going to have a great time here, but you're also going to learn something that you either didn't know or probably forgot from the founding of the nation.

And we want people to remember that it's a great place to come into summer.

>> Yeah, there's there were showing the signing of the rededication of principles.

We're going to actually have that in live in a little bit, but here's just some of the visuals from inside the Independence Hall here from earlier today.

Visitors have been enjoying the history taking it in.

Well, there's a picture of Tom Walker right there.

Talk about we've sadly lost him last year, but it is his vision that led to the American village and its growth since 1999.

>> It's it's impossible to walk around this campus and not just be blown away by that man's vision and his determination to see it through.

The campus is beautiful, and it's exactly as Tom wanted it.

And so just.

And he gave us this incredible opportunity, I think, at such an important time in our history, so that we can turn back and reflect on those founding principles and really embrace them moving forward.

We should always be striving to be better.

And in keeping with those principles.

>> Absolutely.

Senator, I wanted to ask you, in your capacity as Senate Education Budget Chairman, we're seeing this, I don't know, Renaissance, if you will, of Reemphasizing civics education, and I couldn't embrace it more.

I think it's so important.

Talk about how America 250 and what they're doing here at the American village can act as a springboard in terms of proliferating that civics, education, patriotism, teaching, patriotism in our schools all across the state.

>> Well, we have a program already in place with Troy University and the American Village that we started several years ago.

Of course, the educational component of the Semiquincentennial Commission that's been downloaded tens of thousands of times all across the country, had a whole core curriculum.

But it's so important that we teach our young people about the importance of liberty and freedom and what we need to do to maintain that, to keep that and preserve that.

Because as you've heard many, many times, freedom's not free.

And unless we're very diligent about focusing on our young people to teach them that and the importance of we just didn't inherit this.

And, and it just doesn't come in the wind in North America.

You've got to work to preserve it and keep it.

And that's something that we're working on in the legislature with the village, with Troy University and others around the state.

>> Absolutely.

It's those ideals that have helped us through the toughest challenges.

Right.

And I think that's a good reminder.

And hopefully the July 4th and the two 50th really serve as that reminder of that that celebration of that.

Well, gentlemen, I know y'all have got a lot to do.

Thank you all for making the time.

And again, congratulations on a tremendous success.

>> Thank you.

Thank you for having us.

>> All right.

Well, you know, the biggest part of this celebration is the crowd, the attendees.

We want to go to Melanie out in the crowd who's actually with a few attendees out in the crowd.

Melanie, can you hear me?

>> I can hear you, Todd.

And not just a few attendees.

These are very special attendees.

Of course, cam Ward, who is the chairman of the board here in American Village.

Thank you so much for joining us.

Chairman Ward, if you will start with introducing your beautiful family to us.

>> Well, it's a wonderful opportunity to be out here.

My wife, Lindsey Clements, and my son, we love being here.

I mean, what a historical occasion.

You see the families backed up for miles and miles.

This is a wonderful occasion and we're excited about it.

>> Absolutely.

You know what better place than American Village, really, to have a celebration like this?

Why is it so apropos?

>> I watch this bill.

I watch this play start with one building.

And now today we have campus, almost a college sized campus, but it's all dedicated to just preserving the American spirit.

And everyone you see out here today, even braving the heat, we are braving the heat.

But what we're seeing is people who are out here to celebrate American history, our 250th.

It's a wonderful occasion.

>> 250th, once in a generation, you know, now, now these young folks may see 300.

We may or.

>> May not, I will not, but this kid, that's what it's about, though.

You see kids like this, they're out here learning more about what our American history is about, what our heritage is about, what's going on in our country.

And they're having fun.

And you're making history fun again.

We should do more of that.

>> And talk a little bit about the importance of not just learning it in the books, but actually seeing it and touching it and hearing it live.

>> I think we're seeing more since we're such a divided country.

I think one of the things we need more of is youth being involved and excited about learning about their country and, and letting them make their decision on their own, having fun and enjoying it.

I don't think we have enough of that.

We need to have more fun enjoying American history.

And I think this is what it's all about.

And these two, this is what it's all about, man.

>> Well, you come out here, you can you can see the galleries.

They have a chance to do mock debates.

They have a chance to, you know, really hound out those issues.

And that's what it's about.

>> And you're seeing half the crowd out here are the youth, the kids.

That's what this is all about, making sure kids get to enjoy and appreciate American history a lot more.

They're having fun, enjoying debating and talking about our American history.

I think it's wonderful.

And I, I'm excited.

>> Well, you mentioned the crowd.

If we can just pan back this way and show a little bit of the crowd that is here tonight.

Oh my gosh, just your reaction to the folks and obviously folks are still coming in by the droves.

Your response to what you're seeing?

>> I love it, I love it, I love seeing people just take an interest.

And most importantly, we're all here celebrating one thing, our country's anniversary and we're celebrating it together.

And I think the word together is the most important word we can use tonight.

>> What's your hope?

My last question, your hope when folks are headed home tonight, what are you hoping that they walk away with?

Tonight?

>> We talk more about how we're actually more unified than we are divided.

Let's be more together.

Let's enjoy ourselves.

Let's have celebrate this great experiment that we started.

>> Absolutely, absolutely.

And I've got to ask Mrs.

Ward, just your hope for your family and for all those that are here tonight.

>> Well, I just hope even though it's hot and we're all sweaty, that everybody just enjoy time with their family, it's so rare that we get to all just be together for the day without interruptions.

And I'm going to give these two some Kona Ice, and then we're going to watch the fireworks.

>> So yeah, one of the one of the tricks today is to stay cool and to stay cute.

And I think it's one or the other.

Either you're going to be cool or you're going to be cute.

So we appreciate you all being here.

Thank you.

Thank you for the work that you all are doing and continue to do for the state.

>> And we enjoyed it.

>> Thank you.

Absolutely, absolutely.

Well, I'm going to just send it back to Todd over at the desk.

Todd, back to you.

>> Thanks so much.

And thanks.

Thank you to the wards.

We'll take a quick break and be right back.

>> And you never look back.

You let it help you.

You let it help you.

Well, I could tell I needed glasses when the doctor said you're going blind.

And it's all between your ears.

>> In the new World, where Protestants were the majority, founding Father Charles Carroll of Maryland was unique.

Catholics were largely denied the right to vote or hold political office in British colonies.

But Carroll's Catholic faith didn't stop him from advocating for American independence.

In 1773, using the pseudonym First Citizen, he published a series of letters opposing fees to hold office and warning against tyranny.

Carroll broke religious barriers in 1775 when he joined the anti-British Committee for Public Safety.

Then, in 1776, he was elected Maryland's delegate for the Second Continental Congress.

And Charles wasn't the only trailblazer in the family.

Pope Pius VI appointed his cousin, Father John Carroll, as America's first Catholic bishop.

Charles Carroll was the only Catholic to sign the Declaration of Independence.

He was also the last surviving founder, passing away in 1832 at the age of 95.

>> And welcome back to Sweet Home, 250 here on Alabama Public Television, presented by Thompson Tractor.

There you can see Anthony Crawford, Savannah Lee performing.

They're finishing up their performance.

Man that's been that's been fun.

Absolutely.

How was the crowd out there.

>> So you know it is definitely picking up.

You can see folks are coming in by the droves that they are coming in to grab those seats.

You know, we have the VIP section where the chairs are, and then folks just kind of sprawled out on the lawn on their blankets or just on the grass having a good time.

Great to see the kids out.

Just throwing a Frisbee or just tossing a ball around.

You can really feel the anticipation of tonight.

And as the night goes on and folks are certainly in for a treat.

>> Yeah, absolutely.

I'm jealous that I don't get to be out there.

You've got the fun assignment tonight.

You get all the fun stuff too.

>> It's hard not to have fun.

I mean, if you come to American Village and you do not have fun, you're just not trying because there's so much here to do.

>> Oh, yeah.

Quintessential 4th of July things.

You got the food trucks down there, you know.

Good, good, fair.

>> Yes.

>> You've got games and all kinds of things going on.

Kids playing.

There you go.

>> Yes.

Don't you remember that age?

You know, we talked a little bit about the things.

Look at that.

The things that were going on earlier today.

Just the stunt dogs, the celebrity chefs, they had the contests, the dogs and the Blue Bell ice cream, the mini pecan pies.

I didn't see you down there, though, taking part in any of that.

>> Hi.

I had to forego the dog eating contest.

I don't think I would have made it to stand up here.

>> Yeah, and this heat that would that would be something special for sure.

>> We'll talk more about the American village.

You know, we just had Colonel Miller and Senator or on here.

It just seems like this is such a perfect celebration of their growth.

Yes.

Of everything they've been able to accomplish over the years.

>> Absolutely.

>> And, and giving back to the state on, on their investment.

>> Absolutely.

You know, when you think about the size of this campus, 188 acres, and they're we're looking at the Montevallo Community band, they'll be joining us a little bit.

And you see folks coming in there, but, you know, 188 acres, it is really just beautiful.

And there's still more for room for them to grow and just expand.

Opened in 1999, 26 years old, about 24 buildings, replicas and monuments inspired by America's founding era and civic institutions.

And, you know, that was one thing I was talking with Senator or excuse me, chairman Ward, about the fact that when you can see it brought to life, I think, for young people and not just for young people, for for all of us, when you can see it brought to life, I think that really brings the message home.

>> Absolutely.

And we're going to have some of those characters.

We are of the I call them reenactors, you know, they are in character the entire time.

They are.

It's really special.

Yes.

And they go through some of the famous speeches.

Yes.

You got Ben Franklin, you've got Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, Samuel Adams, yes.

Eliza Hamilton, there's been Franklin right there.

I think he's a he's a big crowd favorite.

>> Absolutely, understandably.

>> And you mentioned the replica building.

So behind us obviously is Mount Vernon.

Yes.

Replica of Mount Vernon, the home of George Washington.

They've got Monticello down the hill.

Yes.

That obviously Thomas Jefferson's home.

They've got a chapel.

And the big coup de gras now is Independence Hall.

Yeah.

Where we're going to be going here in a minute, obviously, where the Declaration of Independence was signed and later the Constitution.

>> Well, you know, you talk a little bit about just some of those famous characters.

So I don't know, do we have enough time for me to give Todd a little bit of a quiz here, folks?

Come on, let's put him on the spot.

Okay.

Give me liberty or give me death.

>> Who was Patrick Henry?

>> Okay, that one was a little bit easier.

Okay.

Hold on, hold on, hold on.

Okay.

Who was the president that actually never lived in the white House?

>> George Washington.

>> Okay, I should have known not to.

I should have known not to spar with you.

Okay.

What day now?

This one, if you know it.

What day was the Declaration of Independence signed?

>> Well, it was voted upon on July 2nd.

They actually didn't sign it.

Well, it would get really into the weeds.

July 2nd was the day they actually voted to, you know, for independency.

And the fourth was obviously when they announced.

>> They announced there was a press release, correct?

Correct.

>> Yeah, exactly what it was.

And but interestingly, because not everybody was around, you know, we see it in the movies and it's like they were all there.

They weren't actually.

So it didn't they didn't get around to signing it until like August until it was all, you know, completely finished.

This gentleman.

>> Okay.

>> I'm a, I'm a history.

>> Nerd, I am impressed.

>> Well, I gotta admit, so I've been, I've been kind of reading up on the declaration since I knew this.

We were going to be doing this for 250.

And it, it has a fascinating history.

>> It does.

>> It is, you know, it obviously, we look at that document.

We we read the words and it's so meaningful.

But it has evolved over time in terms of how much people really appreciated it.

Yes.

In fact, it was lost for a period of time or kind of stuck in a drawer in the Department of State back in the 1800s.

And so it's had an interest.

The declaration itself has had an interesting evolution over time.

And thank goodness they actually were able to preserve it.

>> Yes.

>> You know, they're in the archives building, but it's it's it's taken a beating over the years.

>> Well, but, you know, it, it took it took a lot to get to that point.

I think, you know, we celebrate today and we're rah rah.

But we think about what it took to actually get there.

It was work.

And it was I mean, it it was a lot of secrecy, obviously, and they didn't want everyone to know, but it was work for everyone to come together and to agree.

And, you know, we talk about just an idea of iron sharpens iron.

We use that in our our nomenclature these days.

But really, when you think about that, it is tough things coming together.

Iron sharpening iron is not an easy ideal, but when it's done, it's beautiful and kind of.

That's what I think about when it comes to our declaration.

It was not easy getting to that point, everyone understanding it today.

It's not always easy, but we're here.

Something beautiful is coming out of it.

So that's a celebration.

>> Of that.

That's right.

And that's why I love the reenactments.

That's why I love the reminders of history, why this day is so important, because we're reminded of the incredible risk that those men took.

Absolutely breaking away.

I mean, essentially signing their death warrants.

Yes.

But also starting out this new nation that had never been conceived before.

Nobody thought you could do that.

Yes.

And it took a lot of doing.

It took a lot of courage.

Yeah.

And then and here we are today, you know, two centuries and a half later.

Yeah.

Enjoying that legacy.

Absolutely.

And as the senator was just saying, Alan Miller was just saying, working every day to make it more perfect.

Absolutely.

And I think that's, that's a message that can't be lost.

Here's some more footage from the American village while we await the Blind Boys of Alabama.

There's a bust of Benjamin Franklin there.

You're actually going to get to go in Independence Hall.

George Washington.

You're going to get to go in Independence Hall here in just a minute to look at the rededication of principles, which is a really exciting concept.

I can't wait for that.

But also to take us into the the actual room or the replica of the room where they they debated.

>> Absolutely.

>> And eventually voted to break off from Great Britain and declare independence.

I'm really looking forward to that.

>> I am, you know, I am as well.

And, you know, you talk about a more perfect union.

Look, we are we are becoming more perfect every day.

We are not at perfection, but we're striving for that every day.

And I think when we look at those pictures that we just looked at, and again, just talk about the journey to get here today, it just encourages all of us to just keep striving to be better.

>> Absolutely.

To be better.

That's what it's all about.

I don't think anybody is under the false impression that on July 4th, 1776, it was perfect.

No, no, no, it had a lot, a lot to accomplish over the years, a lot to overcome over the years.

Yes.

But it was those founding ideals.

Yes.

Liberty.

Equality.

Yes.

Pursuit of happiness.

Yes.

Justice.

>> Justice.

Absolutely.

Yes.

>> Adhering to those principles has been has allowed the United States to overcome so much over the centuries.

>> Absolutely.

>> And I think that's that's key.

That's what that's what we can celebrate.

Yes.

That's what we can be proud of as a country.

And that's why I'm so excited about this event and those around the country saying, you know, it's okay.

We can be proud of our country.

Yes, we can be proud of how the ideals put in that declaration 250 years ago are still helping because they've helped us over the centuries, overcome some great difficulties, and they're going to still help us in the future, in the present and in the future.

That's something to be really proud of.

>> It really is.

And, you know, another thing that I think about that I think has been represented here so beautifully today is the diversity of our country is the wonderful, just the beauty.

As you look across the tapestry of our country, ideals, values, just cultures.

You know, when I first got here this afternoon, there was a gospel choir on the stage, and then we just got through with a country band.

And, you know, you walk around the encampments and you see the different wars and eras represented and just kind of the journey.

And I think, again, even in that, there is diversity and there's beauty and diversity.

And I think that's really something that I'm proud of in our country.

>> Well, yeah, that's something to be celebrated.

It gives us strength, I believe.

>> Absolutely.

>> It gives us strength to be of so many.

Yes.

Right out of many.

One.

>> Yes.

Okay.

What's that Latin phrase?

>> E pluribus unum.

>> I just thought I'd try just in case he's killing it.

>> Come on.

He's killing it.

We didn't have a civics be like they have now when I was growing up.

But I would have competed.

>> Yeah, and I promise we did not practice this before we got started.

So he is killing it.

>> You come on, come on.

>> Oh, gosh.

>> But yeah, I do.

I do believe that when you are a diverse country, we are a diverse state and yet can unite around certain ideals and certain commonalities that gives you so much more strength.

Yes.

And I hope days like today, celebrations like this, this incredible milestone that is the two 50th.

>> Yes.

>> Will help us embrace that more and help us see that as a as a way to be stronger as a country, stronger as a people going forward.

Because that's the thing.

We are a people.

Yes.

Cam Ward talked about it a little bit earlier.

Being together.

>> Yes.

>> Gathering, being together, I think is, is we don't do enough of that.

>> The beauty of that and here's the here's the reality of that.

There are some countries where this does not happen, where you cannot come together peacefully, where there are just such stringent regulations on everyone.

You know, the freedom that we have in this country to think different ways, but we can still come together.

We can raise our voices if we oppose, but we can still come together.

That is that is something to be celebrated, the freedom that we have.

And so, of course, let's just take this moment, if we can tie to to say to all of those men and women who serve our country so beautifully and so boldly, day in and day out, just as a military, we just want to say to you this evening, thank you so much for your service to our country, for all that you give for us to be able to celebrate that freedom and to your families who allow you to do that as well.

>> Absolutely.

Well said.

I'm really glad you mentioned that.

Well, look, we are awaiting the featured performance of The Blind Boys of Alabama.

I can hear them warming up over there.

So we're going to take a quick break.

We'll be back with Sweet Home 250 here at the American Village.

>> Why did the father of the Bill of rights initially oppose writing them?

James Madison proposed the first 17 amendments, ten of which became the Bill of rights.

They include the freedom of press, assembly, speech, religion, petition and to bear arms.

It prohibits unfair trial, excessive bail and unreasonable search and seizure.

During the country's founding, the founders believed in numerous inalienable rights, and Madison worried that writing a list could limit the rights of the people.

After all, the Constitution doesn't have the power to take away those rights, so why write them down?

But his fellow delegates wouldn't ratify the Constitution without it.

So he created the ninth and 10th amendments, which state that the Constitution can't deny or disparage rights of the people, and any powers not listed are reserved to the states or to the people.

Phew!

Nice save Madison.

>> To Sweet Home 250 here at the American Village in Montevallo, we're getting close to having the blind boys of Alabama take the stage.

And actually, we're going to go right there to the Blind Boys of Alabama.

I think they're taking the stage right now.

>> Take some pictures, sign some autographs, and you can buy some merchandise.

The blind boys have been together for 34 since 1939.

Let's give him a hand, y'all.

And they have a few books here for you.

And they also have the new echoes of the South album.

It won 2025 Grammy of the year.

Now, ladies and gentlemen, put your hands together for six time Grammy Award winners.

The Blind Boys of Alabama.

>> When you hear me praise, it ain't nothing but love.

It ain't nothing but love.

It ain't nothing but love.

When.

Love.

Coming down, coming down from above.

She.

Ain't, it ain't nothing, girl love.

Ain't nothing but love.

Oh, will you sing it ain't nothing but love, love, love I. Coming down from above.

Coming down from above.

Nothing but love, love, love.

It ain't nothing but love ain't nothing.

But they took my love, my love.

And they stretched him wide.

Ain't nothing but love they missed him.

And he shall.

The blood came streaming down.

Ain't nothing but love.

Yeah, love, it ain't nothing but love.

We're here reaching three.

Ain't nothing but love ain't.

It ain't nothing but.

You.

You're reaching.

Ain't nothing but love, love, love.

By.

Coming down from the moon.

Yes, sir.

>> All right, y'all, how y'all doing?

We come to have a wonderful time.

Yes, sir.

It's been 250 years.

Happy birthday, America.

>> Amen.

>> Yeah, we.

You know everybody.

Somebody.

And it's good to know that.

And you stand for what you believe in.

And I'm going to stand for what I believe in.

Everybody going to be okay.

Is that alright?

Yeah yeah yeah.

Imma tell y'all something.

Right before I got here, I was in my room and I was watching television and yeah, I was watching a little TV and I found out there's a lot going on here in the United States.

But the good thing about it is that ever since 250 years ago, we were able to give our opinion and, and you can vote and make a difference.

Is that alright?

I'm going to sing a song for you and the boys and listen.

Oh yes.

>> It's praise time again.

You're going to need him.

It's praise time again.

You should want him.

Can't you see the word is ever.

Love.

In the time?

Yes, it's praise time again.

I'm free with.

Praise.

Time again.

You're going to need him.

This praise and time again.

You should love him.

Can't you see the word is here.

In the time.

Yes, he's praise him again, my friend.

Listen, there was a family.

They didn't have no food.

They didn't have no shoes on their feet.

>> Lord have mercy.

>> They didn't have no clothes to go there.

Lord have mercy.

Well, it's great time.

Great time.

My brain is.

Oh, yes.

Praise.

Time again.

You're going to need him.

It's praying time again.

You should walk him.

Can't you see the words give.

Love in the time.

Yes.

It's great.

Time again.

My friends say.

You know the family that prays together stays together.

If you pray and mean it from your heart.

If you pray and earnest prayer, the Lord will meet you there.

He's praying time, prayer time.

My my my my my friend.

Oh, yes, it's time again.

You're going to need him.

His praise.

You should.

>> Wow, what a fantastic performance.

You can still hear him in the background.

The blind Boys of Alabama.

So much fun.

But right now we are honored to be joined by Ruby Tillman, Miss Alabama.

>> Thanks for having me.

>> Happy 4th of July.

>> Happy 4th of July to you.

>> Absolutely.

Well, congratulations on your crown.

Thank you.

When is the national competition?

>> So the national competition is in September.

I went just a month ago.

So I'm a little bit fresh to the job.

But I'm excited to be here.

We've got a partnership with the America to 50 Alabama initiative.

And so this is kind of part of our job description.

>> Absolutely.

We'll talk about that because I've interviewed some of your predecessors in the past, and it's it's like a lot about being an ambassador for the state, right?

>> Yeah, absolutely.

Especially with the passage of House Bill 407.

We've been named an ambassador for municipalities, military events, different public service events.

And so that's a really cool part of our job.

Of course, there is also the traditional taking pictures and holding babies.

And and that's very fun.

But every Miss Alabama has her own spin on it.

And I'm excited to be holding the title during the Semiquincentennial year, because civic engagement is something I've always been passionate about, something that my education has instilled in me.

I'm a graduate of the University of Alabama, so it's something that I'm excited to really learn more about how we can become more involved as a generation in these types of initiatives.

>> Absolutely.

What's it been like attending this event and experiencing the 4th of July, the 250th as someone just out of college?

>> Yeah.

So as someone who has now been voting for four years and someone who has really taken the time during my education to learn about kind of the vision that our founding fathers had for our nation.

One of the things that I just got to talk about in the panel is what I hope our generation is remembered for.

And while it can sometimes seem like we're not on track to do this, one thing that I do hope that we're remembered for is for taking an opportunity like this to practice unity.

Because our Constitution was founded on the values that we would uphold common ground, and that we would uphold common ideals.

And without that, our republic doesn't really function as it should.

And so I think it's a great opportunity for my generation in particular, to really set aside political polarization for the sake of finding common ground.

>> Absolutely.

I can't tell you how refreshing it is to hear you say that as a member of your generation, and I see you and those like you really reinvigorating that civic engagement and trusting the public, I hope that you'll come down to Montgomery during the legislative session and visit with us some more there.

Well, look, thanks so much for taking the time to come on our show.

Happy 4th of July and good luck in the national competition.

>> Thanks so much.

>> All right.

Well, we've got Melanie Posey there in Independence Hall, where the rededication of principles has been a feature of this year's 250th celebration.

So I'm going to go to Independence Hall.

Melanie, can you hear me?

>> I can't hardly going in and out a little bit, but I think I heard you toss to us.

So as you mentioned, we are hearing Independence Hall.

We're hearing the portrait gallery.

And joining me right now is Val Crofts, who is the chief historian and the chief education officer here at the village.

Val, tell me a little bit about the portrait gallery.

What exactly is taking place in here?

>> Yeah.

So this is part of our school program that we have.

And students come in here that have learned a little bit about the causes of the declaration, which kind of brought us up to this day in 1776.

They come in here and they encounter our founding fathers, founding mothers, the story of the past.

And as the kids come in here, they actually meet them.

They come to life, and they give them the story of the declaration where it came from, all different points of view on it and the process of it.

Sort of like a Harry Potter with founding fathers.

>> Because they come, they actually talk to you.

>> They do.

They sure do.

So yeah, they put the kids right in the history book and make them part of the story.

>> Wonderful.

Well, one, a special exhibit today, if we can walk over here to this exhibit here, tell us a little bit about what this large item is here.

>> Yeah.

So this is our Declaration of American Principles, and we took the text of the declaration, adapted it a little bit into sort of a mission for the next 250 years, rededicating ourselves to the promises that were made in the original declaration life, liberty, pursuit of happiness, the ability to live in a country where you are free, everybody's free, all are created equal.

And this is just sort of reaffirming our commitment to that, to our military and to our country for the next 250 years.

>> Wonderful.

Well, I'm going to move out of the way and allow Daniel just to give our folks at home a better view of this really amazing document.

What you're looking at here are the number of signatures folks who have been here over the past couple of days who have signed this.

I was out here on Wednesday.

There were maybe 4 or 5 signatures.

And today you can see there are hundreds.

Also joining me now are James and Rebecca Newell from Jacksonville.

And you're about to sign it here.

So we're going to talk with you a little bit as you all sign your names.

James, let me start with you.

As you sign your name or as you look for a place to sign your name, what is what is it that you're rededicating yourself to today?

>> I think it's just an affirmation of what we hope our nation to be in 250 years and, you know, goals and principles.

They had that in 1776.

And we're just reaffirming the same thing that we hope for our children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, and so on and so forth into the future.

So it's just an exciting opportunity to sign this.

>> Absolutely.

And Rebecca, what about you?

What are your thoughts as you sign here?

>> Oh, I'm just proud to be an American in this free world.

Absolutely, yes.

>> Well, I'm going to give you a chance to sign here again as we just give folks another look at this incredible document here.

I was told Todd earlier I was going to try to sign it, but wow, we're really fighting for names here.

This is great to see so many people committed to this.

>> It is.

It's been awesome.

>> Now we mentioned that we're here in the portrait gallery.

Rebecca, I'm going to have you come with me if you will here.

Just watch out for the wires because you have a very special representation here in the portrait gallery as well.

We're headed over here to the America 250 quilt that was made here in our state.

Talk a little bit about this as Daniel gives folks a look at this as well.

>> Well, my husband, being a city councilman, was talking with Melanie and she had asked if I had if I would consider doing a quilt if she sent out to all the quilt guilds in Alabama.

And I said, definitely, yes.

And so that's what we did.

And so we about three months we.

Wow.

Yeah.

>> You made this in three months.

>> We got squares submitted in three months.

And then I made it in two weeks.

>> Oh my gosh, that is amazing.

Let's step a little bit closer because one thing I want you to talk about, there's a number of two 50s.

And Daniel, I don't know if you can show that because it's kind of hard because they're here in the quilt.

But about how many of those 250 markers would you say are throughout the quilt?

>> Possibly 100?

>> Oh, wow.

>> Yeah.

Wow.

>> That had to have been so challenging to put together.

>> Not really, because I do it by machine.

So I just set the machine and watch it work.

>> And my understanding is that the challenge to the different areas was to kind of showcase what they've contributed to the state.

Over the last.

Talk a little bit about what was the instruction for those making the squares?

>> Well, the instruction was for each quilt guild in the state of Alabama to submit a 14.5in square, and then mail them to me.

And then I put the quilt together.

>> Wow.

We talked a little bit about this one here that we thought this one was so neat.

What is what is that style called there?

>> That's the pine cone.

Pine cone.

Yes.

>> Okay.

It's really neat and it's so hard to see it as well.

You see the eagles down here at the bottom.

Just really some beautiful representations across the state that we have here.

>> The state.

>> Yes.

Wonderful.

Well again I just commend you.

Two weeks.

>> Two weeks.

>> Two weeks.

Wow.

Well that is commendable.

We >> We appreciate what you've done for our state.

And just again, to you and James for signing and rededicating to our country, as hopefully all of us have today.

Thank you so much for joining us to do it.

Absolutely.

Great work.

Great.

Thank you.

Well, Todd, we're going to toss it back to you out there with the folks.

How are things out that way?

>> Oh, that's just wonderful.

Thank you so much, Melanie, for highlighting that.

I can't wait to get in there and see.

And you know, yesterday there were hardly any signatures on that.

So it's a really great thing.

Well, look, I'm pleased to be joined by the real celebrity of the day, Uncle Sam.

Thank you Todd.

Uncle Sam, thanks for joining us.

>> Thank you.

Glad to be here.

>> Hey, happy 4th of July.

>> Happy 4th of July to you as well.

>> Man.

You were just bursting with 4th of July pride.

>> Aren't you?

Wonderful Independence Day to be alive.

>> That's right.

We'll talk about your presence here at the American Village on the 4th of July.

It's become a real staple.

How many years?

>> This is my 15th year.

And there are families that were here today that this is their 14th year with Uncle Sam.

Really?

And they want their photographs in the same spot with the same backdrop.

So I move around a little bit because of that.

And we made a lot of good friends here for life.

And there's nothing like portraying Uncle Sam and being able to experience families, individuals, college students, kids that will come up so small they hug you around the kneecap.

It's quite an experience.

And most importantly, Uncle Sam is us.

It all originated with the meat packer in Troy, New York in 1812, and he supplied meat for the.

For the soldiers in the war of 1812, and they started calling him Uncle Sam because his name was Sam Wilson.

And he stamped us on the barrels of meat.

But the US, the Uncle Sam really is us.

It's still about us because all that we've experienced here is this great institution is about us.

And Uncle Sam really portrays who we are as Americans.

And it's.

It supersedes anything else in our lives, no matter what the distractions are.

Everyone enjoys Uncle Sam.

>> Well, yeah, and I was down there seeing you.

You've got your setup down there where you've got your flags, you've got, you know, things the kids can take home.

But it was interesting to see they were just kind of running up to you.

>> They do.

>> So, so clearly they recognize Uncle Sam.

They've never even seen you, but they recognize Uncle Sam.

That tells me something, that it's an enduring symbol.

>> It is.

Uncle Sam is of all the images in the United States, Uncle Sam is perceived, according to record, as the institutional image of the United States of America.

>> How about that?

Well, look, I think it's great what you're doing.

Thank you.

I mean, you've gotta you've got to be in this garb all day long in this heat.

But what a, what a great thing you're doing.

Not just for the kids, but for all of us to remind us of this positive view of the United States, of patriotism, embodying it the way you have.

Can I have a flag?

>> You certainly might.

I'd be absolutely.

>> Absolutely happy 4th of July.

>> Happy Independence Day to you.

>> Thank you so much.

>> And to all of you, thank you.

I want you to have a great day.

>> Yeah, absolutely.

Well, we'll have a little bit more from the Blind Boys of Alabama and take a quick break to be right back.

>> Thank you for the one who never let us down.

You can call on him any time.

He's always around.

If you feel your life's too hard, you should have never called me.

Yeah.

Oh, yeah, oh, yeah.

Never said again.

If you feel your life's too hard.

You should have.

Never come with God.

Let me tell you something else.

Y'all listen.

Oh, if your word is too hard to bear, you should.

>> Well, welcome back into our special coverage of the celebration of the 4th of July here at American Village in Montevallo, Alabama.

Such a special place to have this wonderful occasion tonight.

We are still here in Independence Hall, but specifically, we are in the assembly room.

And this really, some would say, is where our our nation was birthed, the birthplace of our nation.

Going to give you an idea of this special room that we are here in tonight.

This is what it looked like 250 years ago in Pennsylvania, in Philadelphia, specifically, when the men representing those 13 colonies of the Constitutional Convention got together.

And this is where they hammered out that famous document that we are certainly aware of the Declaration of Independence.

So let me set the scene a little bit for you.

This is such a small room.

You can't really tell as much because you're not here.

But imagine this 250 years ago, temperatures had to be sweltering.

In fact, I checked today it was 99 degrees in Philadelphia today.

So imagine 99 degrees 250 years ago in a room like this.

You see, the windows are closed.

If Daniel will show you those windows, that's probably how it was.

So because those men did not want folks to know what they were doing as they were trying to hammer out this document, you can imagine there was no electricity.

There was no air conditioning.

Men were in those wool coats, their knickers, those powdered wigs.

It was hot, but they were dedicated.

They were dedicated to getting that document that you're looking at right there.

The Declaration of Independence together and signed to say, we want to be a free nation.

So gosh, also, they're up on the wall, Daniel, if you'll show them, that gives folks just an idea of, of the actual tally count, what it would have looked like 250 years ago, where they were making their decisions and giving their announcements of which way they were going to go.

As we mentioned before, really, those men were taking their lives into their own hands by coming together for this.

But they felt that that ideal and that principle was certainly worth it.

Now, you also see up on the the wall there, you'll see July 2nd.

That is actually the day that they came together and said, this is something that we want to do.

It wasn't July 4th, it was July 2nd.

July 4th was really when they announced that it was a done deal, that the Declaration of Independence was announced, and that they said, we are going to move forward with this.

And then it was about a month later before it was actually signed by all of those signatures that you see there on that replica.

But what an important day for our country, and what a neat replica of this room, if we can.

Daniel, let's turn this a little bit around or come over on this side.

You'll even see all of the different colonies are listed there.

We're looking at Connecticut there.

Again, just to really give you a sense of what this room was like 250 years ago.

So again, to the folks here at American Village, huge kudos for bringing this to life for us to really give us a better sense of what it was like 250 years ago, such a special time, and really just so special to be in this room today.

So, Tom, we're going to toss it back to you.

I know that you would love to be in this room.

So much spirit here in this room as we celebrate today and all that's special about it.

>> Yeah, absolutely.

Thank you for doing that.

I mean, it is you've got if you haven't been to American Village, you've got to make a trip up here for these things.

The replicas, these these buildings, they're incredible.

Well, look, blind boys of Alabama, they're really getting going.

So we'll toss it to the stage.

>> And.

You don't turn around and look for me, my friend.

I'm doing a story.

I'm gonna say it.

Shout at me.

No!

Turn me.

I'm a war.

Yeah.

I'm a shoulder the wall.

Yeah.

Hit me on it.

Alabama warriors, I'm a shouting war on me.

I got a brother in the promised land.

When I got that.

Going to shake her hand.

When I get to heaven.

Gonna sing and shout.

Three tall angels gonna turn it down.

You don't believe I've been redeemed.

Now follow me down to the Jordan stream.

Cause I'm a soldier.

Yeah, I'm a mighty good soldier in the army.

Show, show show me, show me, oh, Lord, mighty good show.

Yeah.

Give me all.

Shaking my shoulders.

I can only love the Lord.

So yeah, he's the only.

Show.

Yeah.

In the army of the Lord.

You got the soldier in the army.

In the army.

>> I'm a soldier in the army.

Fighting temptation.

What is up to everybody?

Universal Studios heard about the Blind boys, and they had an HBO special that was coming out a series.

It was called The Warriors and the Blind Boys to sing a song to them to series called The Warriors.

HBO special.

Can I sing that song for you?

>> Yeah.

>> When you.

>> Walk through the garden.

You better watch your back.

Cause I beg your pardon.

Watch this little narrow track.

When you're walking with Jesus.

He'll save your soul.

Yes he will, but you gotta be careful.

Keep the devil down in the hole.

He got the fire and the spirit at his command.

And you don't have to worry.

Hold your hand.

We all be saved from Satan.

How you feel when the thunder road will.

But you gotta be careful.

Yeah, get the devil down in the hole.

All the angels sing.

About Jesus mighty storm.

Yes, he is with his wings.

Yes, he will stay close to the Lord.

You are the word I say to your.

When the thunder rolls on.

How you get.

If he.

Down in the hole.

Come on, keep the devil in the hole.

>> The devil, and.

>> He.

The hole in the.

Down in the.

Deep down in the hole the devil.

Listen, y'all listen down in the hole.

If you keep him in the hole.

Down in the hole.

He can't mess with your mind.

>> Keep him down.

>> In the hole.

Keep him in your heart.

Keep him down in the hole to behind.

He said.

I said yeah, keep the devil in the.

Keep the devil in the never in the hole.

He could never hold.

Way down.

Well, here's another song.

Put your hand right here.

>> The blind boys of Alabama.

They said there would be dancing.

And we're getting to see some dancing.

Well welcome back and to our set.

I'm pleased to be joined by a distinguished founding father, Mr.

Thomas Jefferson himself, Mr.

Jefferson.

Happy 4th of July.

Thank you very much.

And happy.

>> Independence Day to you.

>> Well, look, take us back.

Take us back to that fateful day when you and your fellow delegates to the Second Continental Congress made that fateful vote, made that decision to declare, not just to your countrymen, but to the world that America was and as of right, ought to be free and independent states.

>> Well.

>> It was an interesting time, for sure, and certainly not a foregone conclusion.

As we gathered in Philadelphia at the Second Continental Congress, the cause of American independence was still.

The future of that cause was still very uncertain.

Many of our delegates were, as I have said, perhaps not quite mature for falling from the parent stem, and there were uncertainties to be expected, and the motion was delayed for a few weeks, during which I was commissioned, along with others, to draft a possible declaration of independence.

You may know that I suggested to Mr.

Adams that he himself should write it, but he declined, saying that he was obnoxious, suspected and unpopular.

>> Fair.

>> But draft a declaration we did.

There was some debate.

It's always hard to be critiqued and criticized on your work, but we reached the appropriate compromises because that is how we move America forward.

And ultimately, we did sign the Declaration of Independence.

But that was only the beginning.

Writing the declaration was the easy part.

Everything that followed proved far more challenging.

>> Absolutely.

One of the themes of this program has been how the ideals in that declaration, they.

They may be final in terms of their impact, but it took a long time.

They had to evolve.

Did you know that when you were writing those words that it.

It wasn't necessarily magically going to be a perfect union, that it was going to have to evolve over time and, and that America over the centuries maybe would have to again and again, go back to those principles, go back, go back to those ideals for that rebirth of freedom.

>> Well, the ideals that are expressed in the declaration are nothing new.

I didn't seek to find out any new principles or new arguments, but to put before mankind common sense that in plain and firm language.

But these are ideals, and we always imagined.

Then, as I imagine you are still aware of now, that it takes work to realize those ideals.

July 4th, 1776 was not the end, but the very, very beginning of seeing the work of the promises of our declaration realized.

>> Absolutely.

We'll talk about there's a. The line in the toward the end of the declaration, how about you pledging your lives, your fortunes and our sacred honor?

What is that?

What does that mean?

>> Well, I, I would say that it's it's a commitment of your whole self to the ideals that are expressed in the declaration.

And that includes your day to day work, right?

Your lives, your fortunes, those that signed the declaration risked much.

And those that fight for independence, those that work toward the the ideals that are expressed in the declaration, they risk much by doing so, and our sacred honor.

We were reaching for.

For principles that are honorable and beautiful and good for all mankind, that my.

My friend Thomas Paine probably said it best when when he said that the cause of America is very much so.

The cause of all mankind.

>> Absolutely.

And you know, many other nations have used your words have taken the declaration as a. To to embody their cause, to say, hey, we want the same kind of ideals.

We want these same principles.

But how does that feel to see your words taken not just from America, but for other nations and other peoples to say, we want to base our we we like this freedom stuff.

We want to use it for ours.

What's that feel like?

>> Well, I'm not surprised to hear it.

Not because of my words, but because of what's expressed in the declaration there, the natural rights of man.

And it's not surprising to, and seeking to live out those ideals in their own countries and in, in their own times.

>> Absolutely.

Well, again, happy Independence Day.

Thank you.

And thank you for taking the time to join us on set.

Thomas Jefferson.

>> It's an honor.

>> Absolutely.

Well, look, Melanie Posey got a chance to go to the Independence Ball that's happening down the hill here at the American Village.

So let's cut to that.

Melanie.

If you're there at the Independence Ball, where there's a lot of dancing going on in period costumes.

>> Well, what is Independence Day without an independence ball?

And of course, when you're an American village, they have it all.

And so we are in the intermission of the Independence Ball.

Just enough time to grab Angel Evans, who is the hostess of this year's Independence Ball.

Happy Independence Day to you.

>> Thank you.

Happy Independence Day to you.

It's a very important day, and we are so happy that so many people are celebrating with us.

>> Well, gosh, you know, we think back to Independence Day back in 1776 and of course, 1777 when it would have been the first one, I imagine.

>> Yes.

>> So tell me a little bit about the ball.

Set the scene for us.

Who all would be here and what would the atmosphere be like?

>> Well, balls for Independence Day started not long after independence was was declared, and any kind of ball is the time for people to come together to see friends that they haven't seen in a long time, to get some exercise.

And it's a really good way to socialize with your neighbor.

And also, it's a good time to put on your dancing shoes and your fanciest clothes and show off your your dance moves.

>> Now, of course you wouldn't know what this is because it's 17 700 when you're doing this.

But in 2026, we have something called YouTube where you can look at it and learn dances and things like that.

But how did.

>> Dancing Master, you can either go to a dancing school or sometimes there's an itinerant dancing master who goes from house to house and teaches every member of the family the latest dances of the season.

>> Okay.

>> So you can find a dancing master to teach you.

>> So it was like YouTube back in the day.

>> Of course.

>> Yes, yes.

And and what age would you start learning these dances?

>> Oh, young children, 4 or 5 years old.

Every member of the family would would join in the dancing.

>> Now, you got the audience involved just a moment ago, but wow, these look like some tough dances.

There's a lot to remember for one dance alone.

How do you remember all of the steps?

>> A lot of practice.

But again, like I said, in the ball, if you mess up, it's all right.

This is not a life and death situation, my friend.

It's just a time to have fun.

>> Celebration.

Yes, absolutely.

Well, of course, this is the time that you want to celebrate.

Thank you so much, Hostess Evans, for joining us and letting us take part.

Wish you guys were here, but we of course got to show you a little bit.

Hope that you enjoyed the Independence Day ball as much as we did.

Now back to you.

>> Yeah, 11 years old.

His guitar was this big and and he was that big.

But I'm so happy to know that he's still here.

>> Yes, sir.

Talk, boy.

>> Today his name is Joy Williams, and he's our music director.

Somebody want to know how old he is today?

When I met him, he was 13.

Y'all want to know how old he is?

>> Yeah, yeah.

>> 13.

Joy.

Come on, sing this song.

Somebody what it is.

>> Say one wrong.

My long time friend.

With something bothering you.

Tell me what the problem is.

I'll see what I can do.

There are times we disagree.

We agree more than we don't.

We won't always see eye to eye.

But we will more than we want.

Cause we got chip.

The kind of lasts a life time through all of our hearts.

You know you're a friend of mine.

Oh.

Regard.

Kind that will last a life time.

Through all of our hearts shift.

You know you're a friend of mine.

Hey y'all.

If you're out on the streets.

I'll take your hand.

If you're hungry, I'll give you food.

If it's money you need.

I got some saved.

If you're sick, I'll visit you.

I've been where you are right now.

You saw me through it all.

I'll lean on you.

You can lean on me.

I'll catch you when you fall.

Cause we got a friend.

The kind of like a life time.

Every one of our hearts is hard.

For you.

Your friend of mine.

I know you know.

Chip.

The kind that lasts a life time.

To every one of my heart chips.

Oh, brother, you're a friend of mine.

Listen, Isaac.

>> This for you.

>> Talk to me, old pal of mine.

If you feel you can't go on, don't sweat it.

It ain't over yet.

This morning we shall perish from.

Your welfare is my concern.

You're way less than you think.

I'll carry you on to the second set.

Cause I love to hear you sing.

We got a free ship.

The kind of like a life time.

You were one of our hearts is hard from the joy.

You're a friend of mine.

I said we got to go.

I hear y'all, we got us a free ship.

Lord, that kind of like a life time.

All of our hearts is hard.

Ship.

Hey, blind voice, your friend of mine.

All of our hearts.

Jesus.

Oh, yeah.

Yeah.

You're a friend of mine.

Every one of our hearts.

She.

On ship.

George Stewart, you're a friend of.

You're a friend of my my my my my my my my.

Yes, sir.

>> Absolutely, absolutely fantastic.

The blind boys of Alabama headlining this sweet home.

250 here on Alabama Public Television presented by Thompson Tractor.

Well, Melanie has found her way back into the crowd to to talk to a couple other attendees.

Melanie who you got?

>> Well, I have Marvin Ferris here with me.

He is from the Birmingham area.

Mr.

Ferris, thank you so much for joining us.

>> Well, I'm glad to do that.

>> Absolutely.

I noticed him as I was walking through the crowd because he you were attending to your great granddaughter and I thought multigenerational.

So tell me who all you have with you here as I move out of the way and allow Daniel to show us.

>> Come her husband and their three kids, and one of those has three kids of her own.

Okay, so.

Well, anyway.

>> A special little one here.

Tell us who this little one is here.

>> The little one is about two months, six weeks old.

And his name is Robbie.

He's our great.

Our latest great grandson.

>> Gosh, that's gotta be.

I said earlier, it's such a blessing, I would imagine, for you to be out here with with your family like this.

>> It is.

>> Yeah, absolutely.

>> Yeah.

>> Well, another thing that I noticed is your hat that you are a veteran, sir, please allow me to take this time to say thank you so much.

Thank you for your service to our country.

Talk about what this means.

This today means to you, this 250th anniversary having served our country well.

>> Absolutely.

It's it's a celebration of freedom that we enjoy.

And we didn't we didn't always get the recognition that we're receiving nowadays.

I served during the Vietnam era.

And, you know, the conditions during that time.

So we I'm really enjoying this.

I'm getting all kinds of.

Thank you for your service.

Notices.

So I really love it.

>> Which is which is so certainly deserved because you did not have to serve.

So again, just thank you for your service.

When you think about the, the many values and principles that our country is founded on today, which one is most important to you?

Equality, freedom, liberty.

Which which value would you say is most important to you?

>> I think freedom is probably the top number one.

Yeah.

So that's, that's what means the most to most of us.

Yeah.

>> The freedom for you and your family to be here and to celebrate as we are today.

>> Exactly.

Yeah.

And, and I'm really excited about all of the folks, the new coming folks that are signing up for the military.

That is a real plus.

So I think that is really great.

And so this just tops it all a celebration like this.

>> Well, I was mentioning to Mr.

Ferris that they have a perfect view for the fireworks tonight.

It's going to be going on over across the field there.

You've been here a couple of times.

So you knew where you knew where to set up.

>> Obviously there they come up that way.

That's where they usually come up.

>> So you just happen to get lucky today?

>> Yeah.

>> Well.

>> Look, we're in a place that they come up over here.

>> Well, look, you got a good view for the fireworks.

You got a great view for the stage.

And Daniel, if you will just show a little bit of the crowd that is here again, we talked about this crowd.

Isn't this a great showing tonight, Mr.

Ferris, would you say?

>> Yes?

Oh, absolutely.

Wow.

>> It's great to see so many people out joining us again.

Congratulations to you and your beautiful family on the new addition.

And thank you so much for your service.

And thank you, thank.

>> You, thank you.

It means a lot to me.

It really does.

>> Well, thank you.

God bless you and enjoy your family.

Gosh, you know, it's just such a treat for me to be here tonight amongst all of these folks, just sharing so many different ways.

Just a wonderful music and the wonderful spirit that is here amongst the crowd.

So just a joy to be here and hope that everyone at home has been enjoying it as much as we have.

I'll toss it back to you at the main stage.

>> Absolutely.

Such a special night.

We're going to take a quick break and be back with more from American Village.

>> First Lady Abigail Adams was second president.

John Adams most trusted political advisor.

Like other young girls at the time, Abigail wasn't formally educated.

Even so, her self-education paid off.

President Adams depended on her knowledge and insight often, and she used that trust to urge him to remember the ladies becoming an early advocate of women's rights and education equality.

She was also a staunch abolitionist, going as far as to use her own farm to show how unnecessary slavery was, even while managing a household during hard times.

Her son, John Quincy Adams, would later become the sixth president of the United States, making her and Barbara Bush the only first lady and mother of a United States president.

>> Welcome back to Sweet Home.

250 here at the American Village on Alabama Public Television, presented by Thompson Tractor.

And I understand Melanie is still in the crowd.

She's got somebody else to talk to.

Everybody's eager to get on TV tonight.

Melanie, who you got?

>> Yeah.

I mean, look, this is the night to do it.

Joining me now is Eric.

And Eric is is used to serve or.

Look I've heard Marines are always.

Yeah.

Don't don't.

Okay.

No use.

That's why that's why I stop myself.

I know.

>> That is a reality though.

>> But look, once a marine, always a marine, I am sure.

Thank you so much for your service.

Eric.

Talk a little bit about why why you're here tonight and why you wanted to come here to celebrate tonight.

>> Thank you.

>> Yeah.

I mean, we always celebrate the board.

The board is a big deal to us.

You know, especially today, you know, 250 years.

But, you know, I mean, freedom comes at a cost, you know, you know, and a lot of people, you know, get to sit out here and see fireworks.

And however there's, there's people right now laying their life down, you know, so we can do what we're doing right now, you know, so it's, it's very, it's, it's, it's more than a day, you know, it's more than a moment.

It's history, you know, and you can't right away.

History is what it is.

>> I'm going to turn you a little bit more to the light just so we can see your handsome face just fully.

But talk a little bit more about that, if you will, because I think, you know, it's so easy to get caught up in the pomp and circumstance of the day, but not really take the time to reflect about how we got here and all that it took to get here.

And obviously, you know that firsthand.

Based on your service, how long did you serve?

>> Yeah, yeah, I was medically discharged.

I served active for eight years, and I was inactive before medically discharged.

And that's not a big deal.

But, you know.

>> Served.

That's what matters.

>> Yes.

That's it.

That's.

Good day.

Explain to me a little bit of information.

So make sure you get exactly what you're.

>> Talking about.

Well, let me ask this.

Because of your service, what does freedom mean to you.

>> Yeah.

Yeah.

So it's two types of freedom to me, right?

There's physical and spiritual freedom, right?

You know, and physical freedom can be temporary.

That's what people have to realize, you know, you know, we're free right now, but tomorrow we might not be, you know, and I've seen been in countries, you know, where where it's not democracy.

You know, there is no politics.

You know, it's a kingdom, there's rulers, there's dictatorship.

You know, I get really, really irritated when I hear that stuff, you know, about Trump and about this other president.

I'm not going to mention name.

So, you know, because, you know, it's not about all of that.

You know, you know, we're not celebrating Donald Trump.

We're celebrating the United States of America, right?

A land that was founded right on principles.

And first of all, God, you know, and and to serve in the Marine Corps and to serve alongside brothers, you know, Marines or something, you know, we're always faithful.

We're faithful to a fault.

That's how that's how we're born.

That's how we're engineered.

That's how we're fashioned.

So, you know, no matter if you go to Bosnia or Somalia, Afghanistan, Iraq, war is war.

You know, conflict is conflict.

And and there's a price always attached to freedom.

You know, I won't get into the spiritual side of that.

But but on the physical side, there's a high cost and the cost is your life.

You have to look at your brother right and left and say, am I willing to die for this man?

You know, and am I willing to die for him?

And why am I willing to die for him?

>> It's so important.

Again, I just appreciate you bringing us into the spirit of remembrance tonight because I think it's so important.

So let me switch it on you a little bit.

Switch.

Give me a little bit of fun because you seem like you seem like a serious guy.

So.

So let's let's keep it a little fun tonight.

Tell me a little about the fireworks and just what's going to go through your mind when you see those fireworks tonight.

>> Oh, fireworks are awesome.

Because hey, you know, when you when at night time, like, let's say you're at the firing range, you know, that's what it is.

Fireworks show, right?

You just see it going off everywhere, all at all speeds, nothing but mass chaos.

So now I can sit back and I can look at it, you know, and I can reflect every pop, every noise, you know, it really will bring something back to remembrance, you know?

Hey, that time I spent was well worth it, you know?

Now I get to sit back.

It's not a firework show, right?

It's a it is a freedom show.

You know, with every verse.

Yes.

>> It's so good.

I love look, this guy is deep.

I wish we had time to talk with him more, because I can tell, and I love the fact that you're that you see deeper beyond.

You know, we had the blind boys of Alabama and one of them said, hey, I'm not blind.

I just can't see because he has a vision.

And I can tell that you have vision as well.

So thank you for sharing that with us tonight.

Thank you for your service and thank you for your heart.

>> Thank you so much.

I appreciate it.

>> Okay, Todd, this is what I'm talking about.

Just the spirit that's here in the crowd talking with Mr.

Musso here, just and just what it's about tonight.

I love the reflection piece of it.

So I'm going to send it back to you at the main desk.

>> Absolutely.

Melanie, thank you so much.

It's just you can really find them.

And oh man, we got some dancing.

We got some dancing for the Blind Boys of Alabama.

It is a party here at the American Village on the 4th of July.

How about that?

I want to just quickly remind you of what's coming up.

We've got the the main program coming up that'll be preceded by the Monticello Community Band.

They're going to they're going to perform some patriotic songs, including the National Anthem.

That'll kick off at about 815.

And about 7 or 8 minutes from now, we will have a flyover from the 100 187th Fighter Wing at Dannelly Field in Montgomery.

That's going to be fun.

The main program is supposed to start at 825.

This is going to.

This is what we all came for to see this main program from the American village.

And then fireworks finally at about 9:00.

And then after that concludes at 930, that's when a Capitol Fourth is going to air here on a p t. So don't go away.

We've got a lot going on here at the American village, but let's listen to a little bit more from the Blind Boys of Alabama.

>> Should I be concerned?

I got to tell somebody.

I don't know about you.

I don't know about you.

I don't know about you.

I guess I feel alright.

Yes, I feel alright.

Tell you.

Want you to do.

Yes, sir.

Tell you what I want you to do.

Yes, sir, I. See your hand in the air.

In the air.

Throw your hands in the air.

Throw your hand in the air.

In the air and let's go.

Left, right.

Everybody go left, right.

Everybody go left, right.

I feel like I'm.

Come on, come on.

Do you feel it?

If you feel I'm talking about the Holy Ghost, the Holy Ghost, the Holy Ghost, the Holy Ghost.

Something more, something I'm.

Something of the holy city.

Got in my hand, got in my feet.

Got right, I. Got right back to me.

That life is for.

God.

The holy, the holy.

Come on down.

Yes, sir.

Yes.

Send it on down.

Let it come on down.

On.

Come on down.

Send it down, boy.

Yes, Lord.

Let your Holy Ghost come.

Down.

To see another day.

Whenever you feel alright.

I want you to come on.

Help me praise him.

Come on, help me praise him.

Come on, help me praise him every once in a while.

Every once in a while, I got to tell him thank you, I think God, thank you, Jesus.

Thank you, thank you, Jesus, I. The blind boys of Alabama.

All right, give it up for the blind boys of Alabama one more time.

>> Wow wow wow wow.

You're right.

Look, he came on the program and said, we're going to have a revival.

We're going to have some dancing.

We're going to have a party.

And they did not disappoint.

They did not.

Blind Boys of Alabama.

>> Look, and let's point out, Todd, these are not young.

These are not young an age man.

They're young at heart.

But these are not young men in full suits in 90 degree Alabama heat.

>> That's right.

>> Who gave a show tonight?

>> Yeah.

Heck of a show.

Yeah.

I'm I've never seen them live.

So that was a new experience for me, man.

We were having a party here.

This is so much fun.

This is what the 4th of July should.

>> Be, as it should be.

>> I think you're having more fun than I am.

You're getting a guy, actually.

See everybody and and experience all that stuff.

But we've got a lot more coming.

Yes.

We're awaiting the Montevallo Community Band.

Yes.

One of the best things about the 4th of July I always love is those patriotic tunes.

Obviously you got the national anthem, but the John Philip Sousa and all those marches and everything.

So I'm really I'm really looking forward to that.

And so they'll obviously end with the national anthem.

>> Yes.

>> We'll have a flyover from the Red tails, the 1/87 Fighter Wing, and then we'll get to the main program.

Yes, we've got we're awaiting the band right now.

But Melanie, you've been out there visiting with everybody, hearing from them about what the 4th of July means to them.

And I really have appreciated all those responses.

>> Yes.

>> But I wanted to ask you, you know, was the 4th of July mean to you and the two 50th?

>> Yes.

Well, I will say this.

This is always this is actually my daughter's favorite holiday, but it has always been a special day for me as well.

I love our country.

I think that we are really so blessed to live in America.

Certainly it is not a perfect country what country is, but we have so many freedoms here.

We.

We are just afforded so much here and I don't take that for granted.

And I really encourage folks at home tonight to really just reflect and think about what we have in this country, the education that we have, the ability to pursue our dreams.

My daughter's headed to college and I tell her, you can do whatever you want to do.

You cannot say that in some countries you don't have, especially even as a woman, you don't have that opportunity.

So just what we are afforded here, it just gets me excited and I feel so blessed.

And I'm grateful to live here in this country.

And to see 250 is just really we talked about this before and just the struggles back then, and we say, oh, things are so divisive now.

Things are so divided.

Even back then, everyone was not on the same page, but they made it and they continued to fight for the betterment.

And so that's just my encouragement as I sit here on the 250th, is that, no, we're not perfect, but we're moving toward a more perfect union and we've got to continue to fight and move together for what we feel is best.

We've got to continue in that vein, and that encourages me.

>> Very well said.

And and okay, like your daughter, the 4th of July is my favorite holiday.

Okay.

And it's not it's not to knock Christmas or Thanksgiving or Christmas Eve, baby.

>> So.

>> But it's, it's uniquely American.

It is.

And I love that about it.

Yes.

It's, it's a time that we can remind ourselves of why we are a country, why we are a people.

Yes.

And I'm glad you mentioned, you know, we aren't perfect and we weren't perfect back then.

I go back every year and read the Declaration of Independence.

I love doing it.

Yeah, even the king's grievances.

Okay.

There've been cookouts where I get through the, you know, king's grievances and people are like, come on, man, wrap it up.

But I don't, you know, I encourage everybody read the declaration, read those words.

It's, it's fascinating.

It's, it's who we are.

It's how we got started.

But I say, don't stop there.

Don't stop just at the declaration.

That's good because the founding didn't stop there.

I say go read the Gettysburg Address.

Yes, go read the Gettysburg Address.

And where Lincoln draws a straight line from the declaration to that battlefield to that hallowed ground.

Yes, it would have been easy at, you know, at the Civil War to say, you know what?

This experiment failed.

Yes.

This experiment clearly didn't work because look at us now.

Yes.

He didn't he said he he drew back to those ideals and called for a rebirth of freedom.

I think that's important.

But don't stop there.

>> Yes.

>> Go forward.

Go forward to.

I have a dream in 1963.

Yes.

Again.

Would have been easy for King to say.

>> Absolutely.

>> Look, if you can't guarantee the rights in this declaration, then what are we doing here?

Let's let's let's start over.

He didn't.

Yes.

He talked about.

Cannot stop.

Let's.

We're here to collect that promissory note.

>> Yes.

>> Again that straight line.

Yeah.

And so and I could even keep it going to Calvin Coolidge in 1926, 100 years ago.

So I just think it's so important that we remember that those ideals stated in the declaration enshrined in the Constitution.

Yes, have kept us together.

They've allowed us to overcome great obstacles from over the centuries and even today.

And so I hope that the 4th of July, this 250th milestone is a reminder that we.

That's how we do it.

Yes.

No matter what the obstacles are.

Yes.

And we certainly live in a troubled time, a challenging time, absolutely.

But the only way we overcome the challenges of today and the challenges of tomorrow are to adhere to those ideals in the declaration and not abandon them.

>> Absolutely.

And keep moving forward.

We cannot stop.

We cannot give up.

And I know folks won't.

But just a word of encouragement that we continue to forge forward.

I think that that's another message that we get when we reflect on today is forge forward, don't stop, don't stop.

And so that just encourages me.

Thank you for just reminding us of the line that we've already the journey that we've had.

Because if you don't remember the past, you.

>> Know.

>> You know, it's important that we remember our history and honor our history.

So thank you so much for that.

>> I believe it, I believe it, and that's why it's so special to me.

As an American, I'm proud to be an American.

I'm proud that we've been able to overcome so much.

And I can't wait for the next 250 years.

I'm not going to be around for it.

But let's here's the next 250 years.

>> Absolutely.

And I do believe, you know, we again, we just keep getting stronger and better every day.

So we, we the next 250 will be better than this.

250 undoubtedly.

Will there be challenges?

Absolutely.

We will not reach a perfect harmonious here because we're human, but we can certainly continue to forge forward to be better.

>> Well said.

I do think I hear the Montevallo Community Band warming up, so hopefully they're getting ready to go on stage.

>> Well, let me tell you a little bit about them, Todd.

Just so folks kind of have an idea of who they are as well.

This is a, this is a volunteer based ensemble founded in 2000.

They are here in the Montevallo and Shelby County areas directed by Doctor John.

I want to make sure I'm saying this right.

Arduino.

This band gathers together all ages and really it's a day like today.

That is really what they're about playing at events like this.

So honored for to hear them tonight.

>> Yeah, I think I hear them going.

So let's cut it over to the stage so we won't miss a note.

>> They're not.

>> Going yet.

Quite yet.

>> Okay.

That's fine.

You know, look, we can we can keep talking about it.

You know, I want to ask you this also your favorite fourth, but let me tell you mine.

And I think it's really when I, I really began to understand what the fourth meant.

I was a young reporter in Des Moines, Iowa.

So that would have been around 1999, 2000.

And on the state Capitol.

Des Moines is the state of Iowa, which is where I was.

And I went, I was by myself just said, hey, let me just go out and listen to a band, play some music.

And I listen in just as you said that patriotic music, it just really did something to me.

And I think that's really where I connected it for me, that it was just so proud to be in this country.

And so that's really that was eons ago, 1999.

>> Yeah.

Turn of the century.

There was a there was a lot going on.

>> I'm aging myself.

But what about you?

What is your favorite sport?

>> It's hard to say.

I mean, growing up, I grew up in Prattville, Alabama, a small town.

And so you had the parade every year.

I mean, those little small town things that you, you know, take for granted.

But I mean, it's just pure Americana.

Yes.

And they had a fireworks show at the at the football stadium.

So I remember those days.

Of course, you know, I got the chance to work in Washington DC for several years and experience a Capitol Fourth right there on the National Mall.

And that was really cool.

I mean, those those are pretty special.

They, they actually the band Alabama played one year.

>> Oh, great.

>> So they, you know, when you're a congressional staffer, they, they give you some special tickets to go sit on the Capitol steps and watch the, the performances.

Yeah.

So it's Alabama.

Absolutely.

Yeah.

Our guys.

So that one was really special because we're sitting there listening to songs that we all grew up with and know, but, but knowing that it's sharing a bit of Alabama with the rest of the country, that was pretty neat.

>> Yes.

Well, I have certainly enjoyed over the years just being able to celebrate the fourth with my daughter.

Just see the fireworks with her.

Just celebrate.

So but again tonight, to be here with you in this setting, this place at this time, it's such a blessing.

So thank you for the opportunity.

>> Well thank you.

I'm glad.

I'm glad you've been along for the ride.

>> Yes, it's been fun.

>> I think we're getting close to the beginning of our ceremony.

>> There we are.

Yeah.

>> Let's let's now turn to the stage to watch Sweet Home 250 program get started.

>> Center here.

We're out here.

Live stream.

Yeah, no, like 2 or 3 years before that.

>> Okay.

As we continue to wait, I know.

>> Yeah, I think they're they're waiting on the national anthem.

Yeah.

Getting everything in place.

And so we'll, we'll cut back to the stage whenever they're ready for that.

But you saw the reenactors there.

They've got obviously American Patriots.

Yes.

From the Minutemen in that area.

Obviously Revolutionary War.

You also have the the British guards.

Have you seen those.

>> I have not seen those today.

>> So they're around here.

>> Are they in the orange and green.

Is that them.

>> Well they've got they've got the redcoats.

I mean.

>> Okay.

Yeah I was wondering orange and green earlier.

>> I was like they.

But it's been funny because they've been like the, the rule enforcers.

>> Yeah.

>> Yeah.

Okay.

Here we go.

>> See.

If that's what so many.

And that one last gleaming whose broad stripes and bright stars through the.

Fair.

This fight o'er the ramparts we were were so glad.

And Lee streaming at the rock.

The bombs burn.

Baby.

Face the night that our flag was still there.

Oh, say, does that star spangled banner.

Yet when.

The land.

And the.

Breath.

>> Wow wow wow wow.

We got to take a quick break.

We'll be right back.

Okay.

Welcome back to Sweet Home 250 on Alabama Public Television presented by Thompson Tractor.

Let's go to the main event.

Go Charlie.

>> And happy 250th birthday to the United States of America.

250 years ago, a group of men in Philadelphia sat down and wrote a Dear John letter.

That's right.

They essentially said, it's not us, it's you.

This breakup is entirely your fault.

And they wrote that to King George the Third, arguably the most powerful ruler in America at the time.

And that is what started the greatest nation in the history of civilization.

But these men who wrote that letter, they were just ordinary people like you and me.

You know, guys who wore long haired wigs so that they could look respectable and be taken seriously.

But in fairness to them, they really stood for that idea of independence.

Well, actually, they paced furiously, argued, and probably burned up for months in those terrible outfits they wore.

And most of them were lawyers.

So you can imagine how that went.

But despite the lawyers, these men chose to unite in defiance of the most powerful nation on earth because they had the audacity to believe in something bigger for America.

That was their vision.

That was the founding of the United States of America.

Ladies and gentlemen, my name is Charles Bell, and thank you, and I am profoundly honored to be your host tonight as we celebrate that moment 250 years ago when we chose to become one American people.

Now, tonight is going to feel a little bit like the Oscars.

We have some famous presenters, a wonderful live band, and some video messages from some very distinguished guests.

We also have a dramatic finale that is going to make you feel as proud and patriotic as that moment when Washington's army defeated the British at Yorktown.

Huzzah!

One thing that is going to be different between tonight and the Oscars, however, you aren't going to have to worry about anyone getting up here on this stage and going rogue on some off topic speech.

Believe me, if that annoying John Adams gets up here and starts blathering again, I'll cue the band to give that, wrap it up and get off stage music.

We've got it covered.

But friends, what an honor to have our 250th birthday celebration here at the American Village.

Folks, tonight.

You are in for a real treat.

Tonight.

You're going to witness the past meeting the present in a way that you've probably never seen before.

>> Greetings, my former royal subjects.

>> Ladies and gentlemen.

This is not in my script.

It appears that King George the Third is with us this evening.

>> I was just tickled to death when I heard you were having a most spectacular fireworks display in my honor.

Apparently, there are some people here who think you're celebrating that ridiculous letter you wrote to me in 1776.

Ooh, what dreadful penmanship.

But that aside, I do so love your red, white, and blue color scheme.

It's so delightfully British.

Da da da da da da da da.

I'd better get in there.

Where is my union, Jack?

>> George!

>> Your Majesty.

>> Ladies and gentlemen, it appears that we now have George and Martha Washington with us.

>> Washington.

You're not supposed to be here.

This is my moment.

I was in the middle of a most important speech.

>> You were in the middle of assuming you were being honored for something you did not earn.

These fireworks are for 250 years of Americans building something you told us we could not build.

>> So if you don't mind, we'd like to get back to celebrating the greatest nation on earth.

>> I've said it before and I'll say it again.

There'll be no uneducated, childless hillbilly.

>> President.

Washington.

Mrs.

Washington, thank you.

I think you handled that better than any diplomat possibly could have.

>> Well, I've had 250 years of experience now.

>> Everyone, please enjoy your evening.

You certainly deserve it.

>> Ladies and gentlemen, George and Martha Washington.

George Washington was always seen as the guiding, unifying force in America.

The man who could always keep things on track.

I see that hasn't changed in 250 years.

But tonight >> We will witness how much we have changed as a country, as each generation works to fulfill America's promise of freedom.

Tonight you will meet some people who started that journey and some who continue to move that vision forward.

So to introduce our first video message of the night, I like to welcome two sisters to the stage who certainly put a great deal of work into the founding of our Republic.

Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome the bold, the brilliant, the Schuyler sisters, Eliza Hamilton and Angelica Church.

>> Good evening everyone.

I'm Eliza Hamilton.

You've probably heard of my husband, Alexander, perhaps.

>> From a certain.

>> Broadway musical that made the Hamilton name famous all over again.

>> I was going to mention his service in the army with General George Washington.

>> Yes, well, I suppose you could say he was Washington's right hand man.

>> But unfortunately, he will not be joining us tonight.

>> I tried to convince him, but I just could not get that man to take a break.

Goodness knows, she's been trying for 200 years.

>> But all joking aside, although my husband Alexander is very memorable in our country's history, let us not forget that our nation was built by countless women as well.

Our work may be less visible, but it is no less important.

>> So it is a tremendous honor to introduce to you a woman whose contributions to American government are visible and at the forefront.

The leader of the great state of Alabama.

Ladies and gentlemen, a message from Governor Kay Ivey.

>> Hey, y'all.

It's Governor Kay Ivey.

It's an honor to join you at the American Village as we celebrate Independence Day and America's 250th birthday.

As we mark this historic milestone, I think it's worth asking, what story will history tell about the Alabama of 2026?

I believe it will tell the story of a state with historic momentum, stronger schools, better roads, safer communities, and an economy that creates opportunity.

From the Tennessee Valley to the Gulf of America, they would see Alabama as more innovative than ever.

They would learn that Alabama was helping supply the world with life changing medicines.

Just a few months ago, Eli Lilly made the largest initial investment in our state's history.

They would discover that rockets built in Alabama were carrying America back to the moon and beyond.

The men who signed the Declaration of Independence could never have imagined smartphones, artificial intelligence, space travel, or even a World Cup match in Jordan-Hare Stadium.

But they would recognize the American spirit.

As we gather beneath the same stars and stripes that generations of Americans have defended, let us remember how blessed we are to call this nation home.

And let us commit ourselves to ensuring that when future generations look back on this moment, they can proudly say that we did our part to keep America strong, free, and shining brightly for another 250 years.

May God continue to bless each of you.

The great state of Alabama and these United States of America.

>> Thank you, Governor Ivey.

Now, celebrating 250 years of America does not stop at state lines, nor does it happen on only one side of the political aisle.

And tonight, we have a message from one of our United States senators.

And to introduce her, I'd like to welcome two people who understand that a great republic requires great hospitality, great compromise, and one person in the room who knows how to keep everyone else from walking out.

Ladies and gentlemen, James and Dolley Madison.

>> Oh.

Good evening.

This is magnificent.

>> As lively as one of your famous white House parties, my dear, those truly were the highlight of my time as president.

>> Oh, my dear, I do think that I was part of the reason that you became president.

And the first place.

>> I can't argue with that.

Yes.

During my presidency, Dolly's grand parties brought warring political sides together.

Even if it was just for an evening.

>> Tonight we have a message from someone who has brought.

Tonight we have a message from someone who has worked very, very hard, who has been engaged in bipartisan legislative efforts as senator, a United States senator.

We are so honored to introduce to you Senator Katie Britt.

>> Hey, y'all.

>> Senator Katie Britt here.

Happy 4th of July.

It is so great to virtually join all of you at the American Village.

It's hard to believe we are celebrating 250 years of American greatness.

Our nation was built by patriots, pioneers, and hard working men and women who believed in freedom, opportunity, and the promise of the American dream.

As Alabamians, we are proud to be a part of that story.

And today is an opportunity to celebrate not only our nation's founding, but also our servicemen and women who have selflessly defended our freedoms.

For two and a half centuries, hard working men and women have strengthened our communities, fueled incredible innovation, and most importantly, passed down the values that make America so special.

As we look towards our nation's next 250 years, let's continue to cherish those blessings.

Teach the next generation what it means to be an American and build a better future for our children and our children's children.

Freedom is a blessing worth celebrating and preserving and united.

As Americans, we will ensure our founding principles and liberties endure for generations to come.

I am grateful to join you on this very special celebration.

God bless Alabama and God bless the United States of America.

>> Thank you, Senator Britt.

Now, tonight would not be complete without honoring the extraordinary work that has been done across the state of Alabama to ensure that this 250th celebration is lasting and meaningful, and to introduce that story.

I'd like to welcome two people who were front and center as this republic was boldly founded.

One of them signed the Declaration of Independence in famously large letters, and the other watched up close as the first shots of our revolution were fired.

Ladies and gentlemen, put your hands together for John and Dorothy Hancock.

>> Good evening.

>> Yes, John's signature is quite famous, but here's one little fun fact you may not know about us.

Technically, we were the first president and first lady here in America.

>> It's true.

When we declared our independence in 1776, America's governing body was the Continental Congress, which I was president of.

>> I stayed in Philadelphia with my husband and performed all the official duties of a First Lady in that time hosting dinners and parties, providing a woman's touch where needed.

It was badly needed.

>> And yet somehow Martha and George Washington keep stealing our thunder.

>> But who can really argue with that?

Yeah.

>> And now, 250 years later, America's grand story continues.

And right here in Alabama, a remarkable group of people have worked tirelessly all year to honor that legacy, to make sure that this is a living, breathing celebration of everything that America has been and everything it can still become.

>> It is our tremendous honor to introduce to you the Alabama 250 Commission.

>> A couple of years ago.

>> Shout out here at 119.

>> Alabama, USA Semiquincentennial Commission was formed in 2021 by joint resolution by Governor Kay Ivey.

When the commission was instituted, we were tasked with the implementation of statewide activities for the commemoration of America's 250th anniversary.

We have been working with Semiquincentennial schools Semiquincentennial cities.

We also have municipalities and counties that have received grants through our funding opportunities.

Every historic milestone has a monument to leave behind.

And here in Alabama, we decided on our legacy project being the Liberty Tree.

Each county will receive a Princeton Elm to represent a Colonial liberty tree and a bronze marker, signifying this historic milestone in our nation's history.

>> Well, you may never think about it, but we're making history today, each and every day in this country, across the world.

And it's important that we be cognizant and mindful of that.

>> America's 250th anniversary is a time for Alabama to reflect on our place in American history.

>> America's story is still being written because each one of us are living history.

We have a responsibility to actively engage in making our country better, in unifying us.

And we look at the Constitution as we the people.

And it is we the people.

So all of us have a responsibility to make our nation better, to improve it, to learn from all of the past mistakes.

>> Because we're still striving for that more perfect union.

Every generation gets to refine and hopefully get us closer to the goals of liberty and freedom that the founders set out for us in 1776.

>> Our best days are ahead of us.

We're a nation of survivors, of triumph and tragedy.

But the American spirit, the Alabama spirit, joins together.

>> To our national vision of ourselves.

Creating a government and a nation founded on the promise of equality is not something that happens in one moment.

Every time we've faced crisis as a people, every time we've had difficult conversations about who is included and what it means to be an American, it means that we've been actively involved in that process of creating nationhood again.

So we all share a responsibility that's really no less than the responsibility held by the founders 250 years ago, to articulate and then to lift up the promise of what it means to be an American.

>> And it's not only for the very young, but also for those who are aging as well.

It's that bridge to our next generation.

>> It is an opportunity to honor those who came before us, celebrate the freedoms we enjoy today, and inspire future generations to help shape America's future.

>> And so it's a work that's never finished and something that each generation gets to contribute to and leave its mark on.

>> The Alabama USA Semiquincentennial Commission and efforts across the state are made possible for generous support through the state of Alabama and the Alabama legislature.

So all of these things, the legacy trees, the Semiquincentennial schools, the funding that's been implemented in every county across the state is possible because of their generous support.

>> It's extremely important that we preserve our history, because if we don't preserve it and pass it along to our children and grandchildren, it'll be forgotten and lost.

And so it takes a conscious effort.

But it's something that we, as Alabamians and Americans certainly need to be cognizant of and also apply our efforts towards preserving our history.

>> Could I ask the members of the Alabama 250 Commission to please stand and everyone.

Let us give them some thanks for what they've done this year.

Thank you so much.

Well, ladies and gentlemen, we've had a busy night.

We've heard from our governor, our senator, we've heard about the extraordinary work being done right here in Alabama.

We banished King George the Third once again.

But now I invite you to listen as our great unfinished story is told by the people who lived it.

They are here tonight because at this special moment, they want to remind you how far we have come.

They also want to issue a challenge about where we are headed.

So ladies and gentlemen, please sit back and witness that rare moment when history truly speaks.

>> Here he comes.

>> Good evening.

I said good evening.

Thank you.

My name is John Adams.

You may know me as a man of politics.

I served as the first vice president and second president of these United States.

A man of strong opinions.

I quarreled at times.

Well, actually a lot.

I quarreled a lot.

But never mind that.

I would prefer to be known as a man who spent his entire life.

Persevering to create the reality of an unprecedented ideal.

I marvel at where I stand tonight.

I stand in a place I could not have possibly imagined, speaking to a people that I hoped my entire life would exist.

And here you are.

And I want to tell you something.

Something that I don't think that history has fully captured.

What happened in 1776 was something the world had never before seen.

It was not expected and it was not expected to to even happen at all, much less succeed.

The world of the 18th century was a world of kings, a world of inherited power.

No one had any rights or freedoms guaranteed to them at all.

But then a revolution began.

And I speak of a revolution of ideas that began in the hearts and the minds.

First, for the people.

Here we had a new vision of life, a vision that was born from the idea that we are all born free.

And let me say it again we are all born free.

This new vision of life could not have happened if not 13 colonies, 13 different peoples concerns, experiences set their differences aside to unite in a common cause.

The belief that together we can accomplish so much more than if we remained separate in our neat little boxes.

And we did unite.

We drafted the words of our collective beliefs, our new vision of life.

We proclaim to the world how remarkable we Americans are.

>> America's declaration of independence.

How stunning it is to hold such a thing in one's hand.

Knowing that this paper and the words penned in ink upon it, held the power in one instant to change the course of an entire nation, to change the course of history.

Good evening friends, I am Thomas Jefferson, proud Virginian, farmer, statesman, and of course, author.

Did you know that when I wrote the Declaration of Independence, some people wanted me to change it?

Two people, mainly Doctor Franklin and John Adams.

When Mr.

Adams first asked me to write the declaration, I told him that he should write it himself, but he said he didn't want to because, and I quote, he was obnoxious, suspected, and unpopular.

He also told me that I could write ten times better than he could at the time.

I was surprised to hear it, but in hindsight, he was probably right.

In regard to changing the words of the declaration.

We had to reach a compromise.

That is what America requires.

Writing the declaration was the easy part.

Everything that followed proved far more challenging.

Defeating Britain, establishing an American government that worked, holding our republic together in its fragile infancy.

And then there was Alexander Hamilton.

By now you know how much we disagreed on most things.

But America was built by people who didn't agree.

And this nation is proof that we can hold opposing views and still hold together.

Civil discourse paves the way for compromise.

And that is how we move America forward.

And what an honor this is tonight to say these things to the future generations of Americans that I dreamt of all of this, all of you are here because of the promises written in this, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

>> All men are created equal.

I believe those words.

I went to war for those words before they were extended to me.

During my life they were never truly fulfilled.

America won her freedom, and yet I was still in chains.

The ideals that we fought for were referred to the rights of men.

Was I not the man?

Did I not possess the same humanity?

I am James Lafayette.

I helped to win the Revolutionary War so that anew free America could be possible.

I was enslaved in Virginia and served as a spy under the command of General Lafayette.

I gathered intelligence that helped win the Battle of Yorktown.

I risked my life repeatedly for a nation that legally regarded me as property.

But I believed in this promise of freedom, even when the men who wrote about it had not yet lived up to it.

I did something even more radical than just believing.

I claim this American Republic is mine.

Those words belong to me too, and I held this country accountable to them.

And future generations continue to do the same.

You sit here tonight on land that has known great suffering and great glory.

The Civil rights movement was born and fought for in places many of you can walk to.

What happened right here in Alabama changed our country and sparked change across the world.

People were beaten on the soil because they dared to force the world to recognize their humanity.

They did not give up on America.

They fought for America.

They loved this country more honestly, more completely than many who had never been denied its blessings.

Do not give up on America when it disappoints you, all of us will become disappointed at times.

We must keep fighting for it and loving it enough to demand better from it.

Claim this country is yours because it is yours.

This is how we move America forward.

>> I wrote to my husband when our new nation was being formed, and I told him to remember the ladies.

He did not do that.

No one really did.

Not for a very long time.

Now you must understand something about that moment.

You see, I was not asking for a favor or making a polite request.

I was issuing a warning.

I told my husband, if particular care and attention is not paid to the ladies, then we will rebel.

And that is exactly what we did.

Now, the process may have taken 144 long years, but we did it, didn't we?

Yes.

My name is Abigail Adams.

I'm sure many of you have heard me described as wife to America's second president and mother to the six, and who would not be proud of that.

Yes, but what I want you to understand is that my identity as a woman, my humanity, doesn't just end there.

I became an entrepreneur and an investor.

I earned money for our family that provided security, and I left the rest as a legacy to my female relatives.

Each generation of women stands on the shoulders of the ones who came before all of you.

You were built by our strength and future generations of American women are going to be built by yours.

So you must remember that sacred duty that you have, exercise those rights and freedoms that women have advanced across two and a half centuries.

Do not take them for granted.

Do not take them lightly.

Use your voice, use your vote, and use your extraordinary God given mind to shape this nation.

Because America cannot move forward by leaving half of its people behind.

>> I arrived in this country in chains and I left it forever changed.

I made my mark.

I showed people that things they didn't believe were possible were real.

I was a star burning bright.

But even the brightest lights are often the shortest lived.

Freedom doesn't mean as much if opportunity isn't extended to everyone.

My name is Phillis Wheatley.

When I arrived in America on a slave ship as a girl of seven, people assumed that I was worthless.

But they were wrong.

I became the first African American and the first enslaved person to publish a book of poetry in America.

At the time, people couldn't didn't believe that it was possible.

But again, they were wrong.

Poetry is how I survived with the words that I wrote.

I proclaimed my humanity to a society that said I had none.

Every sentence I wrote was an act of defiance, and every poem was a declaration.

I am here, I think, I feel a dream.

I matter.

I was granted my freedom through my own efforts, but at the time, America's promises remained unfulfilled.

I had no place in society.

I had no opportunity to fulfill the potential that my life could have been if things had been different.

But my life, my story, opened the door of possibility to the things that could be.

And there is still so much work to be done.

>> As we stand before you tonight, you are standing at the beginning of what comes next in America.

250 years from now, someone might be on a stage telling your story.

What kind of story do you want them to tell?

I don't expect you to be perfect, but you must be brave enough to try.

Honest enough to admit when you have failed.

Wise enough to learn from your mistakes, and united enough to do it together.

Because things weren't perfect in America in 1776, when our Declaration of Independence was signed, were they?

>> No.

>> With things perfect in America when we had our own free country?

No.

>> Where things perfect in 1865 or 19 20 or 1965, were they?

>> No, no, no.

>> Are things perfect today?

No.

>> So what I am hearing from all of you is that we Americans still have plenty of work to do, do we not?

Yes, yes, yes we do.

>> So are we willing to do this work together?

>> Yes, yes.

Then by God, get to work.

>> The promise of America isn't finished.

But as long as ordinary people dare to dream, we will move forward.

As long as we are willing to keep doing extraordinary things because we believe this nation is worth it.

We will keep moving America forward because this.

This is your America in your hands, in your care, and it is up to you to keep fulfilling these promises and to keep writing that story.

What a great celebration.

Wow.

Wow.

Wow.

>> That's how you do it.

>> What a show!

>> Yeah.

>> Sweet home 250 did not disappoint.

>> No, no.

>> I want to thank you for being my co-host.

My teammate.

>> This has been a bomb.

>> Absolutely.

>> Yes.

Yes.

>> Thank you all for watching.

>> Yes.

>> There's been a lot of fun for us to do, and I hope we gave you a taste of just how amazing this performance was.

So.

Happy Independence Day.

Yes.

Thanks for watching.

Sweet home 250 Alabama live right here on Alabama Public Television.

>> Yes.

>> Happy 4th of July.

>> Happy fourth.