RAGTIME Joins Disney's 24-Hour Celebration of America's 250th Anniversary
Broadway's RAGTIME is among the performance lineup for Party Across America, one of the programs featured on Disney's 24-hour multiplatform broadcast "Disney Celebrates America." It will air from 11:35 p.m. to 12:37 a.m. EDT on ABC. The campaign commemorates America's 250th Anniversary and kicks off on Friday, July 3, at 10:00 p.m. EDT and continues through Saturday, July 4. "World News Tonight" anchor and managing editor David Muir will lead coverage, guiding viewers through all 50 states alongside a powerhouse team of talent across networks.
The special programming will feature the geography, cultural heritage, and pivotal moments that define 250 years of American history, culminating in Nashville's Star-Spangled Bash, a live primetime July 4 celebration with performances from Nick Jonas, Reba McEntire, Tim McGraw, and more. The programming will be available across ABC, Disney+, ESPN, Hulu, National Geographic, Freeform, FX, and ABC News Live.
The 24-hour multiplatform broadcast kicks off on July 3 with a primetime special anchored by David Muir, with rare reporting from deep inside the Statue of Liberty, including the torch and crown, for an immersive story on the monument's history and resonance. "Liberty Lights," a first-of-its-kind artistic illumination of the Statue of Liberty, will transform the iconic monument and how the world sees it, produced in close partnership with the consulate general of France in New York. This tribute marks the 250th anniversary of America by celebrating France's iconic gift to the United States and the lasting bond between the two countries. Deborah Roberts will also take to the skies, joining the Patrouille de France of the French Air and Space Force in the cockpit during their flyover above Liberty Island.
In addition to RAGTIME, the special programming will include performances by Brandi Carlile, SistaStrings, and a special message from The Walt Disney Company CEO Josh D'Amaro. Party Across America will continue with live coverage from across the country, featuring anchors Linsey Davis, Lara Spencer, and Sam Champion reporting from New Orleans, New York City, and other locations. The special will also include performances by Dancing with the Stars, fireworks at Walt Disney World and Mount Rushmore, and coverage of the 4th of July Midnight Parade in Gatlinburg, Tennessee.
The 24-hour celebration will continue with a special edition of Nightline, co-anchored by Juju Chang and Byron Pitts, celebrating 80 years of news storytelling at ABC News, profiling the Hartford Courant, the oldest newspaper in the country, and featuring reporting by correspondent Ashan Singh. On July 4, Good Morning America will showcase the beauty of America with a special edition, featuring deep dives into the journeys of the anchors and their families, as well as reports on the U.S. Air Force, U.S. Coast Guard, and U.S. Army.
David Muir will lead coverage tracing American history from colonial times through the Declaration of Independence, with exclusive access to the archives in Philadelphia on the words that helped shape America's most important documents, such as the Constitution. Coverage will also highlight a series of live sunrise moments and reporting.
The special programming will also include a special edition of SportsCenter, celebrating the people, moments, and stories that have shaped American sports culture, and a special preview of Nashville's Star-Spangled Bash, featuring performances by Boyz II Men, Clint Black, and more.
In my opinion, this 24-hour celebration is a fascinating and comprehensive way to commemorate America's 250th Anniversary. It showcases the country's rich history, cultural heritage, and diverse talent, all coming together for a special evening of entertainment and celebration. What makes this particularly fascinating is the inclusion of RAGTIME, a Broadway musical that reflects the American spirit and storytelling tradition. It's a testament to the power of art and culture in bringing people together and celebrating a nation's history.
