Saturday July 4

"Happy July Fourth" - that is what you hear most today in Washington, DC. The Independence Day is a national holiday in the United States. On July 4th, 1776, the Declaration of Independence was signed. The signing of this document is generally considered the founding moment of the nation. You feel it. Almost all buildings - public and private - are decorated at least with one flag.

I start at the National Archives, where I enjoy a reading of the Declaration of Independence by the historical re-enactors John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson and Ned Hector. At the end of the ceremony Duane Moody sings "America the Beautiful" and hundreds of people sing with him.

Thousands of people are in the streets, a lot of them dressed in the national colours red, blue and white. Marching bands, floats, baloons and military units in historic coutumes parade in a celebration of freedom.

The highlight is the Capitol Fourth Concert on Capitol Hill which is attended by thousands of people who have been waiting since the early afternoon for this evening event. It is broadcasted live nationally. Aretha Franklin, Barry Manilow and a lot of other superstars appear on the stage. The Rhapsody in blue played by Michael Feinstein and the National Symphony Orchestra tops all. At the end almost everybody is outside to enjoy the fireworks.