Record-breaking 72M Americans set to travel over Fourth of July
A record 72 million Americans are expected to travel at least 50 miles from home over the Fourth of July holiday period, which runs from June 28 to July 6, according to AAA.
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Happy Fourth of July and Independence Day!
It is going to be a busy holiday weekend as a record 72.2 million Americans are expected to travel between Saturday, June 28, and Sunday, July 6, according to AAA (American Automobile Association), a 2.4% increase from last year. While rain and potential thunderstorms are in store for Americans in several states, there is good news: About two-thirds of the country will have clear weather that’ll be perfect for viewing fireworks shows on the Fourth, according to AccuWeather forecasters.
The origins of the national holiday date back to July 4, 1776, when the Declaration of Independence was signed. However, the annual observation of the holiday only became a regular occurrence after the War of 1812, when events such as groundbreaking ceremonies for the Erie Canal and the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad were scheduled to coincide with Fourth of July festivities, according to the Library of Congress.
By the 1870s, Independence Day had become the most important nonreligious holiday for many Americans, and on June 28, 1870, Congress passed a law making Independence Day a federal holiday.
As the nation prepares to celebrate Independence Day, here is what to know about the Fourth of July celebrations and how to watch on TV and streaming.
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How to watch the Fourth of July fireworks
Multiple broadcasting corporations will be airing the Fourth of July celebrations live on their TV channels and streaming platforms (details below).
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How to watch CNN’s Fourth of July fireworks special?
CNN’s Fourth of July special, titled “The Fourth in America,” will air from 7 p.m. to 1 a.m. ET. The special, featuring “studded performances and firework shows from across the country,” will be hosted by CNN anchor and Chief Political Correspondent Dana Bash and anchor Boris Sanchez from Washington, D.C., along with anchor and correspondent Victor Blackwell and senior national correspondent Sara Sidner from San Diego.
“The Fourth in America” will feature musical performances by Noah Kahan, Lainey Wilson, Dierks Bentley, Sting, Nelly, Counting Crows, Timbaland, The Fray, CAKE, Sublime, Ice Cube, Kaskade, 4 Non Blondes, Ashley McBryde, The War and Treaty, I Love the 90’s Tour with Vanilla Ice, Young MC, Rob Base and Tone Loc, Preservation Hall Jazz Band and The United States Air Force Band, the network said in a news release.
The channel will also air fireworks shows from coast to coast, including in Boston, Chicago, Detroit, Fort Lauderdale, Houston, Las Vegas, Nashville, Niagara Falls, New Orleans, New York City, Philadelphia, St. Louis, San Diego, Seward, Alaska and Washington, D.C.
“The Fourth in America” special will broadcast live on CNN and CNN International and will stream live for pay TV subscribers via CNN.com, CNN connected TV and mobile apps. It will also stream live on Max for subscribers.
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Will CBS air a Fourth of July fireworks special?
CBS Television Network did not announce its plan for the Fourth of July and did not immediately respond to USA TODAY’s request for information.
Will ABC air a Fourth of July fireworks special?
ABC will not be airing fireworks but will instead be airing repeats of Celebrity Jeopardy and 20/20, a network spokesperson told USA TODAY.
How to watch Fourth of July fireworks on NBC
NBC will air “America’s largest and most iconic fireworks display” on the Fourth of July. The 49th annual “Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks,” hosted by actor and singer Ariana DeBose, will air live on NBC and simulcast live on Peacock on Friday, July 4 from 8-10 p.m. ET, the network said in a news release.
Telemundo’s telecast will air from 9-10 p.m. An hourlong encore presentation of the show will air at 10 p.m. on NBC, the network said.
Performers for the event include Jonas Brothers, Eric Church, Lenny Kravitz, Ava Max, Keke Palmer, and Trisha Yearwood, among others.
How to watch Fourth of July fireworks on Fox
Fox News Media will air patriotic-themed programming for its annual “Proud American” coverage throughout the day across Fox News Media platforms on Friday, July 4, which will culminate with a live three-hour primetime special.
“The Big Independence Day Special” from FOX Square in New York City will air live on the channel and its platforms from 8 -11 p.m. ET and will feature live fireworks from Washington, D.C., along with a performance from country music band Dugger Band. The show will be hosted by Fox News Channel’s Johnny Joey Jones, Carley Shimkus, Aishah Hasnie and Griff Jenkins.
Abby Hornacek, meanwhile, will broadcast live from Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, where she will join the coastal town’s Fourth of July festivities, the network said in a news release.
How to watch Fourth of July fireworks on NewsNation
NewsNation will present special live coverage of the Fourth of July celebrations across the country throughout the day on July 4, which will culminate in a special edition of NewsNation Prime from 6-10 p.m. ET, the network said.
National correspondent Marcus Espinoza will be on the ground in New York, “hearing from people as they await the city’s annual fireworks show,” while White House correspondent Libbey Dean will report from the White House, NewsNation said.
How to watch Fourth of July celebrations on PBS
PBS will air its Fourth of July special “A Capitol Fourth” from 8-9:30 p.m. ET on Friday, July 4. The live broadcast will also be available on its website, YouTube and to troops serving around the world on American Forces Network.
The show, which is celebrating “45 spectacular years as America’s national Independence Day tradition,” will broadcast live from the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol with actor and television host Alfonso Ribeiro returning as host.
The evening will “feature all-star musical and patriotic performances from pop, country, R&B, classical and gospel artists” and will air Independence Day fireworks from the D.C. skyline.
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Saman Shafiq is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at sshafiq@gannett.com and follow her on X and Instagram @saman_shafiq7.
