|
Latest:
Find the best places to watch the
A Capitol Fourth Concert live here.
A Capitol
Fourth is a free annual concert performed
on the west lawn of the United States Capitol
Building in Washington, D.C., in celebration
of the Independence Day. Broadcast live
on PBS and NPR, the concert is viewed and
heard by millions across the country and
the world, as well as attended by more than
half a million people at the Capitol. The
concert finale begins with a rendition of
Tchaikovsky's 1812 Overture by the National
Symphony Orchestra (complete with cannon
fire from the United States Army Presidential
Salute Battery and the concluding verse
sung by the Choral Arts Society) and the
National Park Service's fireworks show above
the Washington Monument. Following the 1812
Overture, a series of John Philip Sousa's
best-known marches are played.
For , The
free event will be hosted by Tom Bergeron,
the host of ABC’s Dancing With the Stars,
and will feature performances from funk
lends Kool and the Gang, country star Josh
Turner as well as actors Matthew Broderick
and “Glee’s” Amber Riley. With the Olympics
approaching, Olympic Medalist Apolo Anton
Ohno and famed conductor John Williams are
slated to pay tribute to Team USA.
The festivities
also include the National Symphony Orchestra,
the Coral Arts Society of Washington, the
U.S. Army Herald Trumpets, Quantico Marine
Corps Band and the U.S. Army Ceremonial
band as well as a 17 minute fireworks show
launched from the Reflecting Pool at the
base of the Lincoln Memorial.
The United
States Capitol is the meeting place of the
United States Congress, the legislature
of the federal government of the United
States. Located in Washington, D.C., it
sits atop Capitol Hill at the eastern end
of the National Mall. Though not in the
geographic center of the District of Columbia,
the Capitol is the origin by which the quadrants
of the District are divided. Officially,
both the east and west sides of the Capitol
are referred to as "fronts." Historically,
however, only the east front of the building
was intended for the arrival of visitors
and dignitaries. The Capitol Grounds cover
approximately 274 acres (1.11 km²), with
the grounds proper consisting mostly of
lawns, walkways, streets, drives, and planting
areas. Formerly, a number of monumental
sculptures were located on the east facade
and lawn of the Capitol including The Rescue
and George Washington. The current grounds
were designed by noted American landscape
architect Frederick Law Olmsted, who planned
the expansion and landscaping performed
from 1874 to 1892. In 1875, as one of his
first recommendations, Olmsted proposed
the construction of the marble terraces
on the north, west, and south sides of the
building that exist today.
The Capitol,
as well as the grounds of Capitol Hill,
have played host to major events, including
presidential inaugurations held every four
years. During an inauguration, the front
of the Capitol is outfitted with a platform
and a grand staircase. Annual events at
the Capitol include Independence Day celebrations,
and the National Memorial Day Concert.
Local
Weather:
|
