4th of July Specials

Join NHPR on Independence Day for special 4th of July programs!

9:00-10:00 am: Humankind: Dreaming of America

Visit this program's website | The documentary features varied voices of citizens reflecting on what Americans yearn for at this time when our country prepares for a new era and a new administration. After one of the most tumultuous periods in American history, how can we find common ground to solve a long list of pressing problems? We hear from tourists standing in line to view the original Declaration of Independence and U.S. Constitution, a 23-year-old ex-marine who was injured in Iraq, an NBA basketball star who founded an organization for democracy, young environmentalists worried about global warming, fans in the stands before a major league baseball game and others.

Noon - 1 pm: Our Country, Our Music

Visit this program's website | We share familiar and forgotten songs, many not normally associated with Independence Day, that highlight the people, issues, and ideas that create America, supported by insightful commentary.  Music and comments that take us into the soul of America.

8-9 pm: “Sarro’s Balloon”, produced and voiced by Sherwin Sleeves

Visit this program's website | It’s the 4th of July and Sherwin’s plans to watch the fireworks from his cliff-side vista are canceled by cloudy weather. Unable to sleep, he goes out for a walk and is shocked to see a hot air balloon floating down toward him through the dark sky. The balloon lands. Collapsed on the floor of the balloon’s basket, Sherwin discovers a body – and he concludes the poor balloonist must have died mid-flight. His investigation takes him inside the basket where he hopes to recover the body from the balloon before the balloon is blown off into the wilderness. Unfortunately, he is not quick enough and the balloon is swept up into the sky with Sherwin still aboard. The balloonist – Andrew Lee – turns out to be alive. And he’s searching for something – and with Sherwin’s accidental aid, he finds it.