Nation's 250th Anniversary
ABC Broadcasts 'Disney Celebrates America' on July 3-4 for Nation's 250th Anniversary
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ABC is airing a 24-hour live broadcast called "Disney Celebrates America" to mark the United States' 250th anniversary. The multi-platform event, anchored by David Muir of *World News Tonight*, kicks off at 10 p.m. ET on July 3 at the Statue of Liberty and runs straight through July 4, covering all 50 states across ABC, Disney+, Hulu, ESPN, and NatGeo, according to ABC News.
The celebration comes as 66% of American adults told Gallup they plan to mark the anniversary — the nation's first major milestone since the 1976 Bicentennial. The combined economic impact of the 250th anniversary and the 2026 FIFA World Cup is projected to reach nearly $100 billion for the U.S. travel sector, according to the U.S. Travel Association.
David Muir Opens From the Statue of Liberty
The 24-hour broadcast begins at 10 p.m. ET on July 3. Muir will anchor live from the Statue of Liberty, produced in partnership with the Consulate General of France. ABC News says viewers will get a rare look inside Lady Liberty — access that is not normally available to the public. Muir's role is described as "integrating the story of America across all 50 states."
At 12:01 a.m. ET on July 4, coverage shifts to Gatlinburg, Tennessee for the 50th Annual Midnight Parade — the first Fourth of July parade in the nation. A special three-hour edition of *Good Morning America* follows in the morning, hosted by Robin Roberts, George Stephanopoulos, and Michael Strahan, according to ABC News.
Hot Dogs, Drones, and a Nashville Mega-Concert
At 12:30 p.m. ET on July 4, ESPN and ABC air the finals of the Nathan's Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest. Joey Chestnut is chasing his 18th title. Nathan's will also donate 100,000 hot dogs to the Food Bank for New York City in connection with the contest, according to ABC News.
That evening, Ryan Seacrest hosts *Nashville's Star-Spangled Bash* from 7 to 10 p.m. CT. The show features more than 14 musical artists — including Reba McEntire and Tim McGraw — plus a 1,000-drone light show and a live performance by the Nashville Symphony. Nashville's July 4 event drew $23.8 million in direct visitor spending in 2025. Organizers expect to top that in 2026, with attendance projected above 350,000.
Disney Parks and the Soarin' Controversy
Disney's parks play a big role in the celebration. The new ride *Soarin' Across America* officially opened at Disney California Adventure on July 2, after debuting at EPCOT on Memorial Day. The broadcast ends on July 4 night with a synchronized fireworks finale from Magic Kingdom and Disneyland Park, set to the classic "Reflections of Earth" score, according to ABC News.
The new *Soarin'* film has sparked debate online. After May 2026 previews, some Disney fans nicknamed it "Soarin' Over MAGA" on social media, arguing the film's location choices — including Mount Rushmore and Branson — feel politically skewed rather than geographically neutral, according to ABC News.
A Celebration Split Between Two Very Different Visions
Disney's Ken Potrock called the initiative "our way of honoring this historic milestone by celebrating the people, places, and shared moments that define who we are." But the 250th is not without conflict. President Trump is headlining a rival "Freedom 250" rally and "Great American State Fair" on the National Mall, starting June 24. Analysts say the Trump-backed effort has "siphoned off" public funding from the official, nonpartisan America250 Commission, leaving a reported $100 million shortfall, according to ABC News.
The America250 Commission, chaired by Rosie Rios, has set a goal of reaching all 350 million people in the U.S. through its "Giving 4th" initiative. Critics on the left argue the festivities gloss over 250 years of unfinished work on civil rights and democracy. Despite the divisions, the broadcast aims to be a unifying moment — one that ABC is betting viewers across the country will tune in for, together.
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