When tourists ask me about great ways to spend July 4th in Washington, DC or how to find a great place to watch the fireworks, I usually tell them to check out PBS’s A Capitol Fourth on the mall – or at least watch the fireworks from the steps of the Lincoln Memorial (my family did that when we came on a family vacation). I’ll admit, I knew A Capitol Fourth was a great show, but I had never actually seen it live myself! Until this year…
Thanks to James Delorbe and the Lantos Foundation for inviting us to join them for their annual “Take Pride in America” celebration, which allowed me to enjoy both the A Capitol Fourth entertainment (Sesame Street chracters, Natasha Bedingfield, Aretha Franklin, the National Symphony Orchestra, and…) as well as those spectacular Independence Day fireworks from the West Front Terrace of the Capitol Building. What a show! And what a remarkable place to view them!
“Take Pride in America” has taken place every year since 2003 thanks to the vision of the late congressman, the Honorable Thomas Lantos and his wife Annette. Their shared belief in the greatness and promise of the United States makes this annual celebration of our nation’s birthday, A Capitol Fourth, and the stunning fireworks display, an essential July 4th tradition.
