WPSU-FM invites you to celebrate Independence Day with us. Join us for the following special programs on Wednesday, July 4.
Reading of the Declaration of Independence during Morning Edition - 5-9 a.m.
NPR voices will read the Declaration in a long-standing Morning Edition tradition. Listen for your favorite NPR hosts!
Science and the Fourth of July – 1 p.m.
It’s America’s favorite holiday. It celebrates the birth of our nation, our history, and our identity. And science makes much of it possible. The Pulse explores how science influenced the minds of the founders, what scientists are learning about patriotism, and how the ‘pursuit of happiness’ has sparked a massive industry devoted to making us feel more positive.
Time to Lay It Down – 2-4 p.m.
“Time to Lay It Down: The Soundtrack of the Vietnam War” is a two-hour documentary special that explores the music created during the Vietnam War, which expressed the deep divisions in the U.S., and provided a life line for GI’s in Vietnam, as well as a source of healing when they came home.
Jerry Zolten, associate professor of communication arts and sciences and integrative arts at Penn State Altoona, and Academy Award–nominated filmmaker Frank Christopher collaborated on this WPSU production, which has just won a first-place award for radio documentary from Public Radio News Directors, Inc.
The Capitol Steps - 7 p.m.
Hear the latest “Politics Takes a Holiday” special from the infamous musical political satire group that puts the “mock” in democracy. They’ll perform their latest songs, including tracks from their new album “Make America Grin Again.”
A Capitol Fourth - 8-10 p.m.
The annual Independence Day concert from the National Symphony Orchestra in Washington, D.C. will be broadcast live via PBS on both WPSU-FM and WPSU-TV. John Stamos hosts our country’s 242nd birthday celebration with an all-star musical extravaganza broadcast live from the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol.
The program will feature Jimmy Buffett and the cast of “Escape to Margaritaville: The Musical,” The Beach Boys, Pentatonix, The Temptations, Luke Combs, Lauren Alaina, CeCe Winans, Joshua Bell, Renée Fleming, and Maestro Jack Everly conducting the National Symphony Orchestra.
