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CNN Live Event/Special
America Celebrates 250 Years. CNN, The Fourth In America. Aired 12-1p ET
Aired July 04, 2026 - 12:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[12:00:34]
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Happy Birthday America! Happy Birthday to you! Happy Birthday!
LAURA COATES, CNN ANCHOR: And it all starts right here, right now. From coast to coast, we've got parades --
BRIANNA KEILAR, CNN ANCHOR: Parties.
COATES: -- flyovers --
KEILAR: -- and plenty of festivals. From Boston, the city that ignited a revolution.
COATES: To Philadelphia, where America's story took shape.
KEILAR: Down to Nashville, music city and home to the Hot Chicken Festival.
COATES: And out west for a little whiskey boot race and maybe some surfing.
KEILAR: Joining our party, George Clinton.
COATES: William Shatner.
KEILAR: Charles Barkley.
COATES: And those out of this world astronauts, the Artemis II crew.
KEILAR: So if you've got the food, we've got the music.
COATES: From a little old school --
KEILAR: To the new.
COATES: We'll keep this party going all night long with Lainey Wilson.
KEILAR: Charlie Puth.
COATES: Goo Goo Dolls. KEILAR: And Chance the Rapper. So buckle up and get ready for an unforgettable ride across America.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: The 250th anniversary, you will never see this again.
COATES: I'm Laura Coates.
KEILAR: And I'm Brianna Keilar, live from the National Mall in Washington.
COATES: This is CNN's Fourth of July, celebrating 250 years of the American spirit.
Let's go!
Hello, everyone, and welcome to the hottest thing in town. And I do mean literally.
KEILAR: That's right. The party is already underway across America. Flyovers, fireworks and parades are just a few of the ways that people are celebrating in New York. There are ships from around the globe that have sailed to the harbor for what's being called the largest gathering of international ships, military aircraft and tall ships ever in American waters.
COATES: And coast to coast, patriotic parades have been taking place all morning long. Here's one in Racine, Wisconsin. It's the city's 90th annual 4th of July parade in Virginia at Thomas Jefferson's Monticello, a celebration of the nation's newest citizens. People from around the world are gathered to take an oath and become Americans at a naturalization ceremony.
And in Philadelphia, burying a time capsule at Independence National Historical Park with contributions from all three branches of government and all 50 states. It's not supposed to be open, everyone, for another 250 years.
KEILAR: Yes. And we have everything today.
COATES: Yes.
KEILAR: We have all of these events. We have the heat.
COATES: We have the heat. I mean --
KEILAR: It is wow.
COATES: This is something America. This is what a hot flash feels like.
KEILAR: You get to come into the hot flash now. But also, what a lot of heat last night --
COATES: I know.
KEILAR: -- with the Taylor-Travis wedding.
COATES: Oh, can we talk about it?
KEILAR: Yes, talk about it.
COATES: Have you seen any of the wedding?
KEILAR: Nothing.
COATES: I mean, I have it in my mind what she wore, what he looked like. It better not have been the top and tails from that one concert --
KEILAR: Yes.
COATES: -- cameo he made, right? It's not that.
KEILAR: I hope not. But if -- this is a nice picture of them, this is not the picture of them, though. If we get the picture, we're going to bring it to you. Just know that if you've been seeing some pictures --
COATES: Yes.
KEILAR: -- it's probably not the real deal. So we're hoping that we can find that.
COATES: You and I have had weddings. You know, I'll be impressed only if the bride and groom are able to actually eat at their own wedding.
KEILAR: That's right.
COATES: You eat in yours. I couldn't eat at mine.
KEILAR: I had to have snacks before the thing were -- before you go into the reception. I also don't eat --
COATES: I have snacks here for us.
KEILAR: I'm ready.
COATES: What you bring?
KEILAR: Nothing that interesting. Actually, no, I do have something very fun and interesting, but it's a surprise.
COATES: Do you?
KEILAR: Yes.
COATES: I cannot wait.
KEILAR: It's a surprise.
COATES: I hope it's cold.
KEILAR: No. COATES: All right. Well, listen, right across from us is the Great American State Fair that's taking place on the National Mall. CNN's Derek Van Dam is reporting live. Derek, what is the latest?
DEREK VAN DAM, CNN METEOROLOGIST: Hey, great timing, Laura and Brianna, the Great American Fair just now starting to get underway in -- after a little bit of a postponement because of the heat. But let me ask you this. What is more patriotic on a balmy summer Fourth of July than an inflatable American Eagle? Merica.
All right. So I've got this digital thermometer. Yes, it feels like 105 degrees outside. But inside my suit feels like 250 degrees. I feel like a rotisserie chicken inside of this shoot right now. So I'm only wearing this once for TV. That's all we got.
[12:05:06]
You can see people streaming in right now. This is the first time we're seeing people come in as they're now starting to brave the heat and the elements and it's going to be a fantastic Fourth of July. We have canceled events around here. Unfortunately, the parade here in D.C. was canceled because of the heat.
There's some empty grandstands down the way. So I'll show you around what we have available to us. Will you come soar with me to one of the greatest attractions here? There it is.
KEILAR: Soar, Derek. Soar.
VAN DAM: The Ferris wheel. People lined up for this all day long yesterday, even amongst the heat and I want to show you just how incredible this State Fair is going to be today. Look, some of the first people coming on board and this American Eagle, if he gets one in -- one of these enclosed little cabins, yes, you better believe it. We're going to be roasting some chickens today and some eagles.
We don't want to do that. But, look, it is hot and that is what you have to deal with today at the Great American State Fair and we've got fireworks. America trying to set the world record for fireworks tonight along the D.C. Potomac. That is going to be incredible.
Wow, but thunderstorms that's a possibility tonight. So we're going to have to keep a close eye on severe weather, but hopefully we can clear things out before the storms are -- after the storms roll in.
All right, Laura, Brianna? Let's go.
KEILAR: Derek --
COATES: Wow.
KEILAR: -- don't be a rotisserie chicken. You're a bit of a rotisserie Eagle there, maybe.
COATES: I didn't know where he's putting the thermometer. I was like, what are you doing? I mean -- KEILAR: This is a family show, Derek.
COATES: But he -- that's commitment, Brianna.
VAN DAM: It went up to 300 -- you know, this is a family show.
COATES: I want to wear it.
VAN DAM: You're only seeing this one time in my career, OK?
COATES: There was a little boy who walked beside him. It was kind of like did a double take thinking, OK, well, it's the Fourth.
KEILAR: You're having fun, Derek. It is The Fourth.
VAN DAM: Do you think I can fit in this thing?
COATES: I want to see you try.
KEILAR: I think it will fit. It's, you know, fits to size there.
VAN DAM: Now, that's what I'm talking about.
KEILAR: Derek Van Dam, thank you so much. And we'll keep checking in with you because --
VAN DAM: Happy Fourth of July, everybody.
KEILAR: -- Happy Fourth, Derek. We have to keep checking in with you --
VAN DAM: You got it.
COATES: Yes.
KEILAR: -- because the temperature is a big part of the story today.
COATES: It is.
KEILAR: This is -- that we're experiencing.
COATES: Wow.
KEILAR: Let's head to Philadelphia, the birthplace, of course of American democracy. It's a city that's celebrating so big today from festivals to fireworks and to concerts.
COATES: And did we mention the Big Friends Paraguay match in the World Cup later today? Can you imagine playing in that heat?
Danny Freeman is in the thick of it right now. Danny, Happy Fourth.
DANNY FREEMAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Happy Fourth, Laura. Happy Fourth, Brianna. It is so great to be bringing you a scene from Philadelphia. Like you said, where the nation was born and just as hot as where you guys are I'm sure in D.C., especially where Derek Van Dam is as well. OK, so much going on. There's a huge massive concert tonight with Christina Aguilera. There's all sorts of festivities right back here at Independence Hall. But one of the big things that also happens to be happening today in Philadelphia on July 4th is the big World Cup match between France and Paraguay.
And I thought, what better way to celebrate this day in America than speaking with some of France's greatest fans here. Hello, gentlemen.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Hello.
FREEMAN: About some American trivia before they arrive to their game, because you're all going to the game, right?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes.
FREEMAN: All right, quick run of names. What's your name?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Remy (ph).
FREEMAN: Remy (ph).
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Victor.
FREEMAN: Victor.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Lucien (ph).
FREEMAN: Lucien (ph).
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Mago (ph).
FREEMAN: Mago (ph).
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Manoa (ph).
FREEMAN: Manoa (ph).
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Tom.
FREEMAN: Tom.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: My name.
FREEMAN: Toto (ph). I mean these are France's best right here and these are chickens on your head. All right, you ready? So we're going to play a game. Let's see how many you can get right. I'll start here. OK.
The question is, on honor of Fourth of July, who did America declare independence from? Great Britain, France or Spain?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Great Britain.
FREEMAN: Great Britain, that's right. That's right.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes, yes.
FREEMAN: See, they're the smartest, not France. We -- I don't know Francis -- you guys are tough. That's the hardest thing.
OK, next, who was the first American president? We have George Washington and Abraham Lincoln here.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Washington.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Abraham Lincoln.
FREEMAN: Washington? You say Lincoln?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Lincoln.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I was Lincoln too.
FREEMAN: No, listen to that. It's Washington.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Washington.
FREEMAN: Right. You're right. Washington, that's right. Very, very good.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Washington, the city.
FREEMAN: That's right, the Washington, D.C. That's where you guys are, fantastic. They're two for two right now. OK, here's a hard one. Who is America's current Vice President? George Clooney, JD Vance, or Martin Sheen?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: JD Vance.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: JD Vance. JD Vance.
FREEMAN: JD Vance. That one you do.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes.
FREEMAN: That was not a hard one.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes.
FREEMAN: You guys got to, you know, you got to step up here, you know? They're doing all the work here.
All right, all right. Next question we got. This is a hard one. What is our national bird? We have an eagle, a falcon, and a hawk.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Eagle.
FREEMAN: Eagle.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Eagle, eagle.
FREEMAN: Eagle. UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes.
FREEMAN: OK, that one they got no problem. That was fantastic.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Eagle.
FREEMAN: Yes. That's right.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Why it's eagle.
FREEMAN: It's a great Eagle, the bald eagle. Exactly.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The boss. He's the boss.
FREEMAN: It's -- he's the boss. That's right.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes, yes, yes.
FREEMAN: All right. Let's keep running through you guys.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: (INAUDIBLE).
[12:10:05]
FREEMAN: All right. Next, oh, here's a hard one. Where did the colonists dump the tea? Where did the blank tea party happen? Boston, New York or Los Angeles?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Boston.
FREEMAN: What is that?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Boston and Washington?
FREEMAN: Boston?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes.
FREEMAN: That's right, Boston. Yes. Yes. Yes.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes.
FREEMAN: Fantastic.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: $1 million.
FREEMAN: All right. I think we have one more question left.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The same question.
FREEMAN: Sorry. No, we have two more questions left. All right, who gave -- this is a good one right here. Who gave America the Statue of Liberty?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: France.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: France.
FREEMAN: That's right. Thank you. Thank you very much.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes.
FREEMAN: All right. And now, finally, Brianna and Laura, this is the most important question perhaps of the day for these lovely gentlemen right here. Who is going to win the World Cup? France, Paraguay, or the United States?
ALL: France!
FREEMAN: All right, all right. You know what? We'll give it to you today.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: For sure.
FREEMAN: For sure. You guys are going to the game. Thank you so much. Enjoy America. Thank you for being here on The Fourth.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Thank you.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes.
FREEMAN: Really appreciate you guys. Look at that, incredible. Incredible men right there. Just, I mean, they've been enjoying the States. They've been here. You were in New York before. They're in Philly today enjoying it all. It's a great day to be here in the City of Brotherly Love.
Back to you guys.
COATES: Oh, I love -- I probably would fail all of the French history tests, but wouldn't you, Brianna?
KEILAR: Maybe some of it.
COATES: I would fail all of it.
KEILAR: Would you have to speak French?
COATES: Then I'm definitely out.
KEILAR: Yes.
COATES: But I would have asked him things like, you know, would you get a cheesesteak? Was it wit or without?
KEILAR: Was it wit or without? That's a very good question. Yes, I love that.
COATES: I don't know if it's coming out. We have so much more ahead this very hour and cannot wait. We're celebrating America's newest citizens. We're live at the home of George Washington as the oath of allegiance. He's on a deeper meaning today. KEILAR: And incredible scenes from the largest flotilla of tall ships from around the world. Just gorgeous there. And our Erica Hill is there soaking it all in. She's going to take us through this.
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[12:16:46]
KEILAR: Just a maritime spectacle in New York Harbor today. Take a look here, dozens of ships from 20 nations are taking part in a maritime parade up the Hudson River, the largest ever flotilla of tall ships anywhere in the world. And Erica Hill is lucky enough to be right in the middle of this very cool site. Erica, tell us about this.
ERICA HILL, CNN ANCHOR & NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: It's amazing. This has been the greatest assignment, I have to say. So we just a short maybe 5-10 minutes ago. We actually just turned around at the George Washington Bridge.
I'm on the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Eagle. This is the Coast Guard's tall ship. This is also a training ship. It's used all over the world to help assist in other big events like so many nations are doing here in the United States today for this boat parade up the Hudson, but we have been leading the parade here on the Eagle. Let it all the way up to just shy of the George Washington Bridge and we're turning out.
And I have to say, Brianna, one of the really cool things right now is that we are now able to see a lot of the other ships because they're still continuing up the river. And so we get to see them for the first time because, you know, we were first in line.
The Eagle, important to note, also led the parade for the nation's 200th birthday in 1976, also led the parade in 1964. This is teaching ship. And so, there are 150 cadets on board. Every cadet of the Coast Guard Academy spends six weeks training on this ship and a number of the officers have been telling me about their time on this ship and all those meaningful moments. It's been a really impressive full circle morning for so many of them.
KEILAR: Yes, this is just beautiful. This is something that is spectacular and you don't often see it. I hear them behind you, Erica. What are they saying?
HILL: Yes. So what was great is when we were turning around, Bri, I'm not sure if you can see it behind me. You can see -- hopefully you can see the gorgeous American flag waving. So as we were turning around we were just starting to get a little bit more wind.
We had all of this crew and cadets. They were climbing up the rigging. You can maybe see some of them up there. They had to move some of the sails or the sheets as I've learned we call them. They had to pull some of them down so that we could turn. So that's a little bit of what's happening now as we're now heading back down the Hudson.
This ship, though, when the cadets come on this ship, they have to learn how to do everything on the ship. One of the officers was telling me it's sort of mundane but really important that one of their first tasks is they have to learn to name everything on board. And then some of them actually come back before their fourth year when they're heading into their senior year at the Academy and they will help as sort of instructors for the newest crop of cadets.
It's been really wonderful to see -- I mentioned these full circle moments, but so many people on board have been a part of big moments like this sail parade today. So it's great to hear those stories too. We've enjoyed bringing them to you.
KEILAR: It's so cool. And I was so excited to hear that this was going to be part of our coverage today, Erica, because there's actually a story in my family during the Bicentennial in 1976. I said, this is so great. We're doing the tall ship in the International Naval Review.
This is a picture of my dad in 1976. This is in Hawaii. This was actually a cruise they took from Australia around the world. And the whole culminating event was to participate in that International Naval Review that you were sort of a part of there in New York Harbor.
[12:20:07]
So this is something they did during the Bicentennial. This is a picture of him actually. I think he's really posing there. He looks very cute. But he's in Sydney as they're about to depart for this cruise on the HMAS Hobart, which was a guided missile destroyer that he was on.
And I just -- you know, it was just so fun to see that you're doing this because that's a very special story in my family. He was a part of this. My mom was actually -- they had just been married. He -- she was in America at the time. He got to see her on the trip --
HILL: Yes.
KEILAR: -- and everything and it was just -- it's a phenomenal event.
HILL: I love it. Can I tell you one quick story? I know you're tight on time, but this ship too --
KEILAR: Yes.
HILL: -- President Reagan sent this ship to Australia. This is really used in so many ways as a tool of soft diplomatic power as well. I was told that round trip took eight months, but that it meant so much to the crew on board that they could, you know, participate and do things for Australia in the ways that Australia had shown up for the United States so many times including in 1976 with your dad, which is amazing.
KEILAR: Yes, it's such a -- it's a demonstration of this Alliance between these countries and we're seeing it play out there with you in New York Harbor.
Erica, such a cool site. Thank you so much for sharing that with us. We do appreciate it. And coming up, we have a whole lot more. Happy Independence Day. William Shatner, that's right. He's next to tell us how America's favorite captain celebrates The Fourth.
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ALL: We're troop 0761 from Alabaster, Alabama.
ALL: We are at troop 20 from Anchorage, Alaska.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: We're troop 7121 --
ALL: From Phoenix, Arizona. And we're here at Hope & A Future.
ALL: We're at 479 Bentonville, Arkansas. Thank you for your service. Happy birthday, America!
(END VIDEO CLIP)
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[12:26:41]
JOHN BERMAN, CNN ANCHOR: Hi, everyone. I'm John Berman. I am at the Massachusetts Historical Society in Boston, Massachusetts. Boston, basically my hometown. I grew up in the suburbs here and I couldn't be more excited to be here.
I'm going to be with you all day on this incredible adventure. We're calling, Red, White, and Clue. Basically a scavenger hunt through Revolutionary Boston where I've got to put pieces of a puzzle together, answer questions and it will guide me all through the history of the beginning of our nation. And by the end of the day, hopefully, I'll look really smart or not, either way.
I think there is glory involved here. As I said, this is the Massachusetts Historical Society founded in 1791. One of the coolest places I have ever been with artifacts that you just wouldn't believe. This is a bottle of tea, actual tea from the Boston Tea Party from 1773. That was so important.
The Sons of Liberty went there to protest against British taxes. I think it was a good move. I like what happened. As I said, this is the Massachusetts Historical Society, which has so many documents.
Kanisorn Wongsrichanalai is the chief historian here. And you were telling me this is basically like two and a half presidential libraries?
KANISORN WONGSRICHANALAI, MASSACHUSETTS HISTORICAL SOCIETY: That is correct. We are the home of the Adams family papers, this is the Adams presidential library. So we have the papers of John and John Quincy Adams, but we also have half of Thomas Jefferson's papers. There are more Jefferson papers under our roof than there are in all of Virginia.
BERMAN: So take that, Virginia. In this right here is actually one of the most famous letters written in the United States ever.
WONGSRICHANALAI: Absolutely. It should be one of our founding documents. This is the most -- probably the most famous letter in our entire collection of 14 million manuscript pages and counting. This is Abigail Adams's "Remember the Ladies" letter.
So this is when -- she's writing down to John Adams who's down in Philadelphia trying to craft this new nation and urging him to include women in this new nation that they are building as well.
BERMAN: Unbelievable. This letter itself, that piece of paper more than 250 years old. Also, and I think this is one of the cooler things here. So remember, we celebrate Independence Day on July 4th, but it was actually July 2nd when the Continental Congress, the second Continental Congress voted to split from England.
So we were independent on July 2nd, 1776. But then something happened on July 4th that has to do with this piece of paper. What is it, Kanisorn?
WONGSRICHANALAI: So this is the -- one of the first printings of the Declaration of Independence. So they voted for Independence on July 2nd, but they voted for the language of the Declaration on July 4th. That's why we mark July 4th as Independence Day. They sent the text to a printer in Philadelphia named John Dunlap on the evening of July 4th. He probably printed 100 to 200 copies. This is one of 25 known to exist today.
BERMAN: So this is what happened on July 4th. And I noticed there are no signatures on it.
WONGSRICHANALAI: They're not going to sign the document until August. They wanted to get the word out there first and they wanted someone with very good penmanship to write it all down before they signed that document.
BERMAN: So the famous John Hancock wasn't until August?
WONGSRICHANALAI: That's later on.
BERMAN: All right. So as I said, we are here as part of the first stop of what's going to be a day-long adventure in Massachusetts here in Boston, Red, White, and Clue, where I'm going to get clues and I have to solve them and then we're going to go on an adventure.
So for clue number one, Kanisorn, can I have clue number one?
WONGSRICHANALAI: Good luck.
BERMAN: Here we are. Clue number one of Red, White and Clue. I ripped it already. And it is. This eye line reminds you of Florida's own. Near it once stood a famous ex-sapling. Who could know the target it had become after all the stamp-fueled grappling? Though, the T line. The T line reminds you of Florida's own. T line. I need a clue, Candace Orne. The stamp-fueled grappling. Was that the Stamp Act? Did it have anything to do with the Stamp Act. UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It had something to do with the Stamp Act.
BERMAN: But not the T. Does it have to do with the Townshend Act and the Tea Party?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It's not. What has a lot of bark but no bite?
BERMAN: A tree? Is it the Liberty Tree?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It's the Liberty Tree.
BERMAN: OK. The Liberty Tree, which I don't think actually exists anymore, but the site exists. We're going to go to the site of the Liberty Tree. That is where you will see us next. Now we're going to go across Cape Cod Bay to one of the coolest places on Earth, my friend Randi Kaye in Provincetown, Massachusetts.
RANDI KAYE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Oh, I wasn't going to put him in the T yet.
BERMAN: Randi?
KAYE: And we have been just watching the parade this morning. And coming up, we are going to be talking to the town crier who marched in the parade. Yes, there are still town criers. Not too many of them. And he's going to teach me how to be a town crier, coming up.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: From all of us out here in Vicenza, Italy. Happy 250th, America.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
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[12:36:29]
BRIANNA KEILAR, CNN HOST: As America celebrates its 250th birthday today, people from around the world are taking the oath of citizenship. They're officially becoming Americans today, which is so cool.
LAURA COATES, CNN ANCHOR AND CHIEF LEGAL ANALYST: It is.
KEILAR: It's one of the most poignant of those swearing-in ceremonies that's taking place at Mount Vernon, of course, the home of George Washington, America's first president.
COATES: You know, I took my kids to this once so they could actually understand the gravitas and see what it's like for people who are so thrilled to be able to take that oath. And we've got CNN's Donie O'Sullivan there for us. Donie, tell us what it's like.
DONIE O'SULLIVAN, CNN SENIOR CORRESPONDENT: Hey, guys. Happy 4th. Yes, it was really special to be here this morning for that naturalization ceremony. About 150 people from dozens of different countries who all made their very different journeys to this country becoming citizens today. It was particularly emotional and poignant, of course, as these ceremonies often are.
But, of course, especially today here at Mount Vernon, George Washington's home, on the 250th anniversary of the U.S. And we got to speak to some of the lucky people that today became Americans. Here's what they had to say.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
DANIELLE DUNCAN, NEW U.S. CITIZEN FROM TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO: Well, I decided to come to this country to change of living and also for my beautiful daughter, Tiana, and just to experience a different lifestyle, experience the land of the living, the land of the free.
ANJU SHARMA, NEW U.S. CITIZEN FROM NEPAL: It's a dream come true because you always -- that's one thing that came here, worked hard. And you have this dream that you become American one day because of the freedom. Freedom and also there is no limit in this country. You work hard and you get your dreams. It's amazing.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
O'SULLIVAN: And, I mean, what a better way to celebrate July 4th than with some brand new, fresh Americans. Some of those folks had family come fly in today from all over the world to witness this. And many of them, they didn't actually find out that this would be where they would be having the ceremony. And on this specific special day until the last couple of weeks, it was a real surprise.
But we're going to be hanging out here all day. There's a couple of guys who are dressed up as George Washington, which we'll be bumping into. And pretty soon, I think at 1:00 p.m., there's going to be some daytime fireworks here at Mount Vernon. So I haven't seen daytime fireworks before. So we'll report back on how great they are.
COATES: I mean, I don't want to give a spoiler alert, but kind of like smoke. They come up in little smoky colors. Like there's a red, obviously red, white and blue. But this is such a cool experience, actually.
O'SULLIVAN: A gender reveal.
COATES: Very emotional. A gender reveal. America, you've got twins. How about that? About 150 of them. I know what that looks like. But thank you so much, Donie.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
WILLIAM SHATNER, ACTOR: Risk is our business. That's what the Starship is all about. That's why we're aboard her.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
COATES: You know him. You love him. Actor, icon, William Shatner. I'm so excited. I am so excited.
KEILAR: This is an exciting one. In 2021, of course, he became a space traveler, literally. At 90 years old, becoming the oldest human to travel into space on board a Blue Origin rocket. And William Shatner is with us now. Happy 4th of July, sir. Good to see you. It's so wonderful to have you with us.
[12:40:01]
SHATNER: It's a delight to be here.
KEILAR: It's wonderful to have you.
SHATNER: A delight to be here and help you celebrate the birthday of this wonderful country.
KEILAR: Tell us how you're celebrating today.
SHATNER: I'm sitting in a truck in solitary confinement as against the reporters on the ship with full of fresh air and wind. I'm locked in a little black compartment here. But I know all I have to do is go to the door and open it up and I'll be free again. But I wanted to share, I'm a Canadian and a guest in your country for longer than most of you have been alive. So I've seen America go up and down and have good moments and dark moments.
But this is such a wonderful country filled with such good people that eventually every illness that the country suffers, it comes out of and is better than ever. There can't be true happiness all the time. But the value of America is such that it always emerges better than what it was given the dark moments.
Canada and America are at odds at the moment. There's a great deal of sadness in Canada over a rupture in our relationship. But we all know that eventually it'll heal itself and we'll be good neighbors again.
COATES: I'm so glad you've said that, William Shatner, who I will refer to in both first and last name because it's a fan. But it's so important for people to understand that oftentimes people are looking at what's happening here as we're celebrating. But we really are part of a bigger world. And you, in fact, were born just a few years after we celebrated our 150th birthday. What is it? What was it like to be able to be there for the bicentennial and now here and witness all the progress that really has been made?
SHATNER: Yes, well, I don't quite remember what that was like, but I do remember I do know what it's like right now. What it's like right now in Los Angeles. It's cool and hazy and it's beautiful. I've traveled all over the United States of my years here. Almost in every state I've appeared entertaining or visiting. And I've been a part of this wonderful country for a long time. America is the beautiful. America is great. And the world depends on America's largest. And we must never forget that.
We depend every, every country on Earth depends on America and its generosity. And we are thankful again and again for those moments when America contributes to helping other countries.
KEILAR: So beautifully said.
COATES: Really.
KEILAR: And we have some rapid fire questions for you to have some fun with you.
COATES: We love this.
KEILAR: It's very fun. But we do want to preface this by saying some of these questions, they might be easy for you. But you also need to know that you are our favorite. OK, so just I want to preface these questions with that.
SHATNER: Now you're one of my favorites. But remember, I know nothing.
KEILAR: I think you're going to know the answer to this. OK, let's start with this. It's starting off easier. Who's a better captain, Kirk or Picard?
SHATNER: Oh, Kirk, by an enormous amount of expertise.
COATES: Some would say light years, Captain. There you go. OK, so what's happening?
SHATNER: I wish I had said that. I wish I had said that.
COATES: You know what? Now you can say it.
SHATNER: Light years, perfect answer.
COATES: There you go. That's the magic of television.
SHATNER: Ask me the question again. Ask me the question again.
COATES: OK, here we go again. William Shatner. Who is a better captain, Kirk or Picard?
SHATNER: By light years, Captain Kirk.
COATES: There you go.
KEILAR: I love it. All right. The neck pinch, the Vulcan neck pinch. Is it real or is that fake?
SHATNER: It's very real. And I've got a sore muscle here that stays permanently sore because he pinched me again and again. When he reached for other parts of my body, I said pinch my neck. Never mind anything else.
COATES: That sounds like the after show question we'll ask you later. All right. Which starship is better, Enterprise or Voyager?
SHATNER: Well, like the sailing ships that you've got on camera now, those are older ships, but better because they were made by hand. So the Enterprise is much better because it was the first and was handmade.
[12:45:04]
KEILAR: That's a very good one. All right. Would you rather live on --
SHATNER: Yes. Yes, I would rather.
KEILAR: -- Earth or on space? He's using it for all of us. Would you rather live on Earth or in space?
SHATNER: Well, you need a lot of help living in space, like oxygen and artificial gravity and protection from asteroids. So if you put me down in Boston in a seaside restaurant eating seafood, I would prefer Earth.
COATES: I love it. I have to ask you one more question, though, because if you say the answer, it is definitively the truth forever and ever and ever. No pressure. Are there aliens?
SHATNER: Remember that.
COATES: Are there aliens, William Shatner? Have you seen them? Are they there?
SHATNER: Yes, yes, there are aliens and you two are among them.
COATES: Well, I'll take it.
SHATNER: I've never seen stranger human beings. I've never seen more stranger people than the two of you laughing and joking. But you really are aliens.
COATES: Well, you know, but only we could be this beautiful in this heat. So I agree with you, William Shatner. We must not be from this world.
KEILAR: We must not be out of this world.
SHATNER: Happy birthday, America. Happy birthday, America. We're so happy that America exists.
COATES: Thank you. Hey, we're going to go to Provincetown now. Let's see if we have a fellow alien friend out there. One city with a crier that you've got to meet, Randi Kaye. Happy 4th.
KAYE: Happy 4th to both of you. This street was just a buzz here. I am here with the town crier of Provincetown, Daniel Gomez Llata. And the parade just ended. You were basically leading the parade. How fun was that for you?
DANIEL GOMEZ LLATA, TOWN CRIER: It is lots of fun. I've done plenty of parades. Never quite as hot as this one. But I kept my voice and I didn't get any blisters.
KAYE: Yes, and I love the town crier. You are very official. Before we get to what your role is here, real quick, just tell me the Mayflower actually landed here in 1620.
LLATA: That is correct. The Mayflower, in a nutshell, got lost. They were aiming for the Virginia colony. They ended up here by accident. They had to make a document called the Mayflower Compact, which is the birthplace of American democracy. They went to Plymouth after, but they left democracy. And even today, 406 years later, we see ourselves as holding that torch of freedom.
KAYE: Yes. Thank goodness the Pilgrims came here. And we now have Provincetown, which is so special.
LLATA: That's right. That's right.
KAYE: So you are one of how many town criers left in this country?
LLATA: In this country, there's about 22 or so.
KAYE: And what is your role?
LLATA: Well, originally we told the news when the news was not on the radio or television yet. And then when radio came along, it became more of a ceremonial ambassador kind of a role.
KAYE: And you've been the town crier six years. Show me what you do.
LLATA: So this is my Bella. I got two. This one's Bella. And Bella, uh-oh. Bella, I pick her up and I go. Oh, yes. Typically thrice.
KAYE: Wow. That's amazing. So can anybody do that? It seems like there's a special flick to your wrist.
LLATA: Well, it is all in the wrist. You have to be careful not to throw your elbow.
KAYE: OK. Should I try it?
LLATA: You want to?
KAYE: Yes. Give me a quick lesson. OK, please. Oh, my gosh. This is heavy.
LLATA: It is.
KAYE: OK. So just you hold this.
LLATA: Sure. So kind of raise it up there and make sure it's balanced. And then, yes. Flick your wrist. There you go. And you got to yell, oh, yay.
KAYE: Oh, yay. How's that? Is that good?
LLATA: There you go.
KAYE: OK. Now there's 23 town criers.
LLATA: Now there are 23. KAYE: Because I have just become one officially, right?
LLATA: You are the newest one. That's right. Congratulations.
KAYE: Thank you so much.
LLATA: Welcome to the Guild.
KAYE: Thank you. Thank you for joining us today and being part of our celebration here in Provincetown. How awesome was that?
LLATA: Yes, absolutely. Yes. So I just want to give a shout out to my employer, the Provincetown Chamber of Commerce.
KAYE: There you go, of course. There you go.
LLATA: Got to put them in. I wouldn't be here if I wasn't for the Chamber of Commerce.
KAYE: How do you think we did, guys?
KEILAR: I love it. Welcome to the Guild, Randi Kaye.
KAYE: I know.
KEILAR: You belong.
COATES: I love only on the floor --
KAYE: I belong.
COATES: -- aside to the Chamber of Commerce.
KAYE: I just need it.
KEILAR: That's right.
KAYE: I just need to get the outfit now.
LLATA: Yes. Well, I got my number one closet.
KAYE: Great.
KEILAR: The hat in particular. I love it.
KAYE: Happy fourth.
COATES: I love that he said thrice.
LLATA: Happy fourth. Happy semi-second single.
KEILAR: There you go. Happy fourth, Randi.
COATES: Our coverage is just getting started. We're going to head out to Arizona where our Bill Weir is standing by in Prescott as their parade gets underway. Bill, what's going by you? [12:50:00]
BILL WEIR, CNN CHIEF CLIMATE CORRESPONDENT: Howdy, my friends. This is the kind of Americana you can only get in a small town in the West. We're at the world's oldest rodeo. Frontier Day is part of this. Just surrounded by patriotic cuteness everywhere. We just saw the horses go by. So much to tell you about from this real slice of the Fourth of July out West. Stay with us, won't you?
KEILAR: We are looking here at the parade in Arlington, Texas, as folks all across our great nation are celebrating America's 250th.
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[12:55:22]
COATES: We are back with coverage of America's 250th birthday. CNN's Bill Weir is in Prescott, Arizona where there's a parade happening downtown. Bill, let's go to you.
WEIR: Happy birthday, America. Welcome to a western slice of this fantastic 250 Arizona, 250 birthday. We're in the center of Arizona. That's Thumb Butte in the distance there. You can almost picture the Old West movie that could be set here. Actually, Sam Peckinpah shot a Steve McQueen movie here back in the 70s. But this is the parade. It's just touching off. Let's weave our way through the crowd.
It's wrapping its way around Prescott which is this beautiful community. We're sort of midway between Phoenix, north of Phoenix, a little bit southwest of Flagstaff. And beautiful Sedona, Arizona is nearby here. Spin around, Avelio. Let's see what's coming at us. Oh, look, it's the Republican Party of Yavapai County. The Democrats just went by. We've got a man on a giant bicycle.
Happy 4th, sir. That's very impressive. And the world's oldest rodeo is in this place. So much controversy around that. We'll try to bring that to you on the other side. Stay with us. Our big CNN birthday bash. It's just getting started.
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