Fourth of July Radio Specials

• John Kinzer
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As you celebrate our nation’s independence on July 4th, we hope you’ll enjoy these specials on WITF 89.5 & 93.3.

10am: The Declaration Does Not Apply
The founders left three groups out of the Declaration of Independence: Black Americans, Indigenous peoples, and women. This is how they responded.
A few years ago, Civics 101, New Hampshire Public Radio’s podcast about the basics of how our democracy works, did a series revisiting the Declaration of Independence, and three groups for which the tenants of life, liberty, and property enshrined in that document did not apply. We bring you all three parts of that series in The Declaration Does Not Apply.

11am: Broad Stripes, Bright Stars and White Lies: America’s First Flag
Betsy Ross sewed the first American flag. At least, that’s what we were taught in school. But when historians go searching…there’s no proof to be found. So how did this story get started?
In this special hour-long episode of the Smithsonian’s Sidedoor podcast, we unravel the Revolutionary history behind this vexillological tall tale. In the process, we learn that the real Betsy Ross was anything but the mild mannered seamstress we think we know. And we discover the work of the women behind another of America’s most famous flags: the Star-Spangled Banner.

12pm: Food Fight
This time of year, with the flags and bunting, flipping burgers on the grill… it tends to get us thinking about what exactly it means to be American.

There are a lot of answers to that question. But one we don’t often explore has to do with those burgers, or pad thai… whatever you might find on your plate… and what those things have to do with our national security.
In this special from Things That Go Boom, Inkstick Media, and PRX: Two stories about food, family, and the choices our government makes in our name.

1pm: Strike Up the Band! A Century of Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue
Host Jeff Spurgeon takes listeners through a celebration of 100 years of Rhapsody in Blue. During this special, guests like Michael Feinstein, Lara Downes, Marcus Roberts, Vince Giordano, Maurice Peress, and Ryan Bañagale will tell us the stories behind the composition and premiere of this iconic work and they’ll explore how artists have performed and reimagined Gershwin’s masterpiece over the course of the century.

2pm: Patriotic Pop!
Don’t miss this timeless collection of cherished tunes celebrating America’s heritage. These are tunes known far and wide across the landscape of hit songs and tunes written for movie and stage musicals.
Artists featured on this broadcast include Frank Sinatra, Louis Armstrong, Arlo Guthrie, Peter Paul and Mary, Neil Diamond, Johnny Cash, Ray Charles and selections by Rita Moreno from “West Side Story”, the cast of “1776” and the original “Music Man” himself Robert Preston.

8pm A Capitol Fourth
Celebrate our country’s birthday with a star-studded musical extravaganza! The 43rd edition of America’s Independence Day celebration features performances by top stars from pop, country, R&B, classical and Broadway, and patriotic classics. Top musical artists join the National Symphony Orchestra under the direction of premier pops conductor Jack Everly.
The annual Fourth of July celebration airs from the nation’s capital to a broadcast audience of millions and to our troops around the world via American Forces Network. Hosted by Alfonso Ribeiro