Return to Transcripts main page
CNN Live Event/Special
America Celebrates 250 Years. Aired 2-3p ET
Aired July 04, 2026 - 14:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
[14:00:00]
LAURA COATES, CNN ANCHOR AND BRIANNA KEILAR, CNN ANCHOR: Happy birthday, America. Happy birthday to you. Happy birthday.
COATES: And it all starts right here, right now. From coast to coast, we've got parades.
KEILAR: Parties.
COATES: Flyovers.
KEILAR: And plenty of festivals. From Boston, a 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: So, buckle up and get ready for an unforgettable ride across America.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: (INAUDIBLE) the anniversary, you will never see this again.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
COATES: I'm Laura Coates.
KEILAR: And I'm Brianna Keilar. Live from the National Mall in Washington.
COATES: This is CNN's 4th of July, celebrating 250 years of the American spirt.
COATES AND KEILAR: Let's go.
COATES: Hello, everyone, to this very hot 250th July 4th party right here in Washington, D.C. Elex over there in that 70-degree Orange County. Which, of course, Brianna's like, best place in the world. KEILAR: Love it. Grew up in Orange County. And I would really take that weather right now.
COATES: It was my first apartment out of college.
KEILAR: You lived there.
COATES: I lived there on San Angelo Drive. I'm just saying, I'm a person who's been everywhere.
KEILAR: So, you're partial to Huntington Beach for Elex.
COATES: Right now, I'm partial to surfing. And, of course, Michaelson, Elex Michaelson, is at the Huntington Beach Parade. He's Oceanside. Do you know this man has turned into Ferris Bueller? He has made his way onto a float. Bueller, who are you with?
ELEX MICHAELSON, CNN ANCHOR AND CORRESPONDENT: Hey, there. We have an exclusive. We are with the first president of the United States, George Washington, exclusively on CNN. What do you make of this country at 250?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: What a beautiful country. Liberty shed by blood. Hard fought freedom. The people of Compass Bible Church worked hard on this float. They poured in passion and love because we love the community of Huntington Beach.
MICHAELSON: Yes, we do. And -- of us -- what do you think we all can learn from your example, Mr. President?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: That we need to be one country, one people. We want to invite every soul here at this parade to our church tonight, 5:00 p.m.
MICHAELSON: All right. Well, let's take a walk on this float. So, we've got all of your friends here, fellow revolutionaries. And then if we walk towards the back, we've got some young people who are here. Hi, everybody, who are schoolchildren. What's the best part of this whole experience?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I think the best part about the whole experience is you just get to be around the people. And just they get to experience the experience as well.
MICHAELSON: Happy 4th to you. Happy 4th. So, I know you've been leading people in a chant of USA. Are you ready to do that?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Let's do it.
MICHAELSON: Let's do it. All right. Everybody ready?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Huntington Beach, let's celebrate our freedom.
CROWD: USA. USA. USA. USA. USA. USA. USA.
MICHAELSON: So, we're getting the community together, more than half a million people out here, including the first president of the United States. Thank you very much, Mr. President. Laura, Brianna, back to you.
[14:05:00]
COATES: We've got a chant for you, Ferris Bueller.
KEILAR: Yes, we do. Are you ready? Let's do it.
COATES AND KEILAR: Danke schoen. Darling, danke schoen.
KEILAR: Elex Michaelson, have a wonderful afternoon. So, beautiful there.
COATES: It is really lovely. Oh, my God. I mean, look at that.
MICHAELSON: Thank you.
COATES: Also, the kids on the float, so cute.
KEILAR: They're so -- I love how he asked the question, and then that --
COATES: They looped it.
KEILAR: He like said, well, the best part of the experience is -- I'm like, that's right, you take the question and you integrate it into your statement, and then you just drop the mic. So, good.
COATES: You got a future, kid. Right across the way, though, from us is CNN's Derek Van Dam at the Great American State Fair on the National Mall right now. He's in the Wyoming tent. Derek, fill me in. What's going on in there?
KEILAR: What's he wearing?
COATES: Wait, wait, stop.
DEREK VAN DAM, CNN METEOROLOGIST: OK. You don't understand how long I had to wait for this. I am super fans. I don't get Taylor Swift printed on shirts. I get Brianna and Laura. Yes.
COATES: Look at that forehead.
VAN DAM: Happy 250 years, USA. I'm shipping this to you, OK? Hey, we are on the Great American State Fair, and one of the beautiful things about this is that you get to visit all of these different state exhibitions, and like you said, we are going to go into the beautiful state of Wyoming. I love this place, OK?
So, this is an area where I've taken my family for so many different adventures, the Grand Teton National Park, Jackson Hole, chef's kiss. But look at these exhibitions that they get to have. I'm going to bring in a really crucial member of the team.
This is Courtny Hinds. Doesn't she just look the part? She is so wonderful to participate in this, and she is representing the beautiful state of Wyoming.
COURTNY HINDS, WYOMING PAVILLION: Thank you so much for that great introduction.
VAN DAM: Yes.
HINDS: Today we're doing a lot of fun things in the Wyoming Pavilion. Do you want to take a little tour?
VAN DAM: Yes, tell me what you got. There's so many different things going on here, right?
HINDS: So, right back here we have Jeff Hines, who works at Cheyenne Frontier Days, and he's doing some hat shaping demonstrations today. And I think before you leave, we're going to have to get a hat on you.
VAN DAM: Are you saying I don't look the part right now?
HINDS: Hey, you look 90 percent the part.
VAN DAM: OK. I think this is going to complete that process. All right. what else do you have? I need a cowboy hat.
HINDS: Well, do you want to learn how to rope?
VAN DAM: I do. Very bad. I've always wanted to try this. Live on television, no pressure.
HINDS: Live on television.
VAN DAM: OK.
HINDS: So, this is called the hondo.
VAN DAM: OK.
HINDS: You're going to hold right back here.
VAN DAM: All right.
HINDS: And then we're going to put this in your left hand.
VAN DAM: On your left hand. And that's my bowl, right?
HINDS: You're going to look right here.
VAN DAM: OK.
HINDS: And you're going to try to get over horn, over horn, and pull under. OK?
VAN DAM: Is there any strategy, up and over?
HINDS: I like to go right across.
VAN DAM: Laura, Brianna, if I get this, I'm buying you a beer. Oh, no. OK. One more time. OK.
HINDS: How about if you get it, somebody will buy you a beer?
VAN DAM: Somebody -- if I get it, somebody has to buy me a beer. You can. There we go. One, two, three. Yes. Pull it in. That's how it's done. I love that. I feel like a true cowboy now. But you've got a couple of other things to do, right?
HINDS: We're going to learn a little bit about Wyoming wool.
VAN DAM: Yes, I thought this was so awesome.
HINDS: OK.
VAN DAM: Can I see something back here, guys? I love how you're just sporting everything USA 250. What's this all about, Courtny?
HINDS: Wyoming is known for the most wool-producing state in the country. So, we've got all Wyoming wool. And we're doing -- this is a little loom.
VAN DAM: OK.
HINDS: And we're just doing a simple over-under stitch, if you want to add to it. We're making this into an American flag. And when we're done, it'll actually go back and live in our governor's office.
VAN DAM: That's amazing. My children would be very proud of me for doing any kind of arts and crafts. So, Maya, Logan, this one's for you. This is going to go to the governor's office of Wyoming. Hey, can I complete the final thing?
HINDS: Yes, come with me.
VAN DAM: OK. This is --
HINDS: We'll go ahead and complete your little piece here.
VAN DAM: Laura, just check this out. Her husband, Jeff, here, has been shaping me this beautiful hat. And I was hoping to get maybe little curls on the side. I like how you guys got it.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes. We'll get you a little cattleman's crown here. So, this hat started as a round shape here.
VAN DAM: Perfect.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: A round, flat shape there. So, we've added this crease across the top.
VAN DAM: Perfect.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We're going to add some side bumps here.
VAN DAM: Oh, man, there it is.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Get a little bit more steam.
VAN DAM: Love that.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We'll use steam to loosen up the fibers on this hat. It's made from beaver and rabbit hfelp.
VAN DAM: Wonderful.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: And so, we use the steam. It loosens it up. We can shape it. And then as it hardens, it'll hold that shape.
VAN DAM: Artwork.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: So, there we go. And then --
VAN DAM: I need that sides.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: For the sides.
VAN DAM: Right here.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes.
VAN DAM: All right. guys.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: And we're getting kind of creased up.
VAN DAM: This is how you make it official. But you know what else you can do here? Courtny, is you can get little stamps from every single state that you visit? And I think we'll just do that. Prove that I was here. Take it home. This is what you can do at the Great American State Fair.
Jeff, I think I'll take what you got because I want to show people that this is what a real cowboy looks like.
[14:10:00]
All right, guys. So, this is what the exhibits are. Here along the National Mall, there's so much more to come in our 4th of July celebration and our special. And I'm going to don this hat as I go to break. And we'll take it from there. Turn it around. OK. Oh, feather in the cap.
HINDS: Hey, it's perfect.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[14:15:00]
KINKADE: All right. We just had quite a treat here in Washington over the National Mall. You are looking, this is moments ago here, the Golden Knights Army Parachute Team doing a joint exercise with the Navy Leapfrogs Parachute Team. Just amazing. As they land on the National Mall, we have been getting a treat of flyover after flyover. This one here is live, as we understand, the Navy Leapfrogs. And we've just been seeing amazing flyovers. And now, this is quite a treat. These folks are the best of the best, the parachute teams for the Army and the Navy as we see them landing here on the Washington Mall. We'll keep an eye on all the cool stuff that's going on here. It is really fun.
And plenty of 4th of July celebrating is also happening at George Washington's historic estate in Virginia, where CNN's Donie O'Sullivan is. Donie, we saw that George Washington made a cameo last hour, looking, oh, my goodness. I mean, I knew you were talented, but that truly is some musicianship, Donie.
DONIE O'SULLIVAN, CNN SENIOR CORRESPONDENT: Hey, Brianna and Laura, what's going on? I am here with Don, who's a fifer, and William, who's a drummer. This has just been placed into my hands, so I'm not going to, but just tell us a little bit about -- I mean, this is an iconic sound on the battlefield. You know, any American history documentary, just tell us a little bit about why is this instrument more than anything so important?
DON: This is a beautiful instrument. The little pipe has a big sound. This is used to communicate signals to the soldiers. This is the colonial version of texting, tweeting, and instant messaging. The drummer and myself, the sound calls, drummers call, advance, retreat, reveille, water call, wood call, church call. So, he keeps the time, I keep the tune. We collaborate, we motivate, encourage, and inspire these soldiers.
So, William, what do you think about this instrument?
WILLIAM: Oh, the drum is great. It travels right through the cannon fire on the battlefield, the base, and all the way up to the pipe, and the soldiers are taught to recognize beatings on the drum and tunes on the pipe.
O'SULLIVAN: Can you play us some? Well, one, I don't think I'm not going to be able to play this, am I? Well, just show me how you -- so, you're -- when it comes to the air --
DON: You're not blowing on it, you're not blowing off. You're finding a balance, a little sweet spot.
O'SULLIVAN: Hang on, hang on, OK. Hang on. OK. This may take a few hours. So, I'll tell you what, we'll have you guys play us out with something, is that OK? What are you going to play?
DON: We'll do one of the most iconic tunes of the Revolutionary War. Yankee Doodle and the fellow left behind me, the British manager. So, we'll give him a little --
WILLIAM: All right. All right.
O'SULLIVAN: Absolutely. Let's go. And I'm going to pretend, this is what I used to do in the school marching band back in Ireland with a tin whistle. Most of us would just be like pretending to blow. So, I'm going to do that with you guys. Right.
(MUSIC PLAYING)
O'SULLIVAN: See you guys back here in a while.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[14:20:00]
KEILAR: Could you answer basic questions that say a fifth grader would know the answer to about American history?
COATES: I hope so.
KEILAR: I hope so too. I got a chance to check this out. I quizzed some young Americans using questions from the official U.S. citizenship test and also just kind of from my mind as well. But let's see if you can keep up.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
KEILAR: These are your Australian cousins?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Yes.
KEILAR: What if they beat you at the American trivia?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: That would be kind of sad.
KEILAR: Which city did the founding fathers meet in to sign the Declaration of Independence?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Pennsylvania.
KEILAR: Which city though?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Pittsburgh.
KEILAR: Do you know?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: No.
KEILAR: Come on.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: New York.
KEILAR: Which city did the founding fathers meet in to sign the Declaration of Independence?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Philadelphia.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I feel like it's Philadelphia, but I don't want to be wrong.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Wait, are we wrong?
KEILAR: What if you're right?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: It's right.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Are we right?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Philadelphia.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Philadelphia.
KEILAR: Yes. OK, own it. I'm supposed to say Philadelphia.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Oh, Philadelphia.
KEILAR: Somewhere in between New York and here.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Philadelphia.
KEILAR: How many original colonies declared independence from Britain?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: We had 13.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: 13.
KEILAR: 13.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: 13.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: 13.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: 13.
KEILAR: Can you name them all in alphabetical order? I'm just kidding. How many stars are on the American flag today and do we know what they represent?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: 50. And they represent all the states.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: 50 in the states.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: The amount of states, 50.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: 50.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I just counted.
KEILAR: You counted all 50 stars?
[14:25:00]
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I did 5, 5, 5, 5, and then 4, 4, 4. Like all of those. I did the five first and then I did the fours and then I added them together.
KEILAR: In what year did the U.S. declare independence? Multiple choice. You guys, come on. This is not a trick question. UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I'm pretty sure I saw some like sign thing which said 250 years of something. So, I did 2026 minus 250.
KEILAR: You just did that math. I think we need a math test. Do we have a math test? Is there a math test for him? That's amazing.
Who's giving you these hints over here? Who is that?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: That's our history teacher.
KEILAR: Your history teacher is giving you the hints.
What year did the U.S. declare independence?
CRORD: 1776.
KEILAR: Benjamin Franklin is famous for his experiment proving lightning is electrical, but what surprisingly modern side hustle did he run to fund his political career? A. He owned a brewery that supplied George Washington's army. B. He ran a printing business and published a popular annual almanac. C. He ran a French restaurant because of his love of imported French wine and cheese or D. He delivered mail as an early mailman. What do you think?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I think the mailman one.
KEILAR: You think it was a mailman?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Yes.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: The brewery.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: The French restaurant one.
KEILAR: We have some multiple-choice options.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: OK. We'll do multiple-choice.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Wait, I think it's like a printing press or something.
KEILAR: You don't even need. Yes.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: It has to be the printing one.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Yes. I'm thinking of the printing press.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: He has a lot to say. He really has a lot to say.
KEILAR: So, you learned that in school.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I think we learned every single one of these questions. Some of it I got from Hamilton. That's why.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
KEILAR: They knew. So, almost all of them knew something because of Hamilton. Shout out to
COATES: Lin-Manuel Miranda. I mean, I'm just telling you, I didn't know some of them though. I knew -- I know. I forgot. Here, I'll be frank. I forgot some of these answers, kids. I have a sixth grader and a seventh grader. So, I should know these answers.
KEILAR: Yes. The thing is, they'll know.
COATES: They should know.
KEILAR: I feel like it's the adults who could mess it up. No, those -- all of those kids were unbelievable.
COATES: The math on the fly. I mean, the math was mathing.
KEILAR: Yes. He was Australian. So, he was like, listen, I don't know. I just -- I do the math. I'm like the math, which math?
COATES: To which I say, no.
KEILAR: Yes. No, it was an almanac and a printing press. But I kind of wish that he was, you know, making beer for everyone, Ben Franklin.
COATES: I mean, we don't know that he wasn't.
KEILAR: We don't know that he wasn't.
COATES: We don't actually know what he was doing. Did Lin-Manuel Miranda have another play coming out, a musical? Tell us what the side hustles are. It could be called The Side Hustle of the Founding Fathers.
KEILAR: That would be -- I would love that.
COATES: I would watch it.
KEILAR: That would be great. So, listen, if you want to know, like maybe you're looking at that going, I know all of those, but do you really, if you want to test your own knowledge of U.S. history, you can actually take the citizenship test on cnn.com.
COATES: Oh, I want to do that during the break. Let's do it.
KEILAR: Yes. But I'm just going to probably keep it to myself. All right. He's one of the greatest players in NBA history. We're very excited about this next guest, a Hall of Famer, MVP, and now an award- winning analyst for ESPN's Inside the NBA.
COATES: Of course, we're talking about the one, the only Charles Barkley. Charles, how are you spending the fourth?
CHARLES BARKLEY, NBA HALL OF FAMER AND ANALYST, ESPN'S INSIDE THE NBA: I am in Lee, Alabama, melting. Obviously, barbecue is a big deal being in the South.
But hey, I got to give you all some flowers. You all both look great, and I know it's hot as hell everywhere. So, shout out to you all makeup girls. They got a good thing going.
COATES: There's no makeup. Just a little bit of corn starch and Vaseline.
BARKLEY: Hey, listen, you -- everybody out there, please stay hydrated. Please stay hydrated, because this heat is no joke.
COATES: It's not. All right. Let's have a little fun here, and thank you for the flowers. We love you for that. Who is making the cut? Let's see. You have only two seats left at your backyard cookout. Who is getting the invite? Shaq, Ernie, or Kenny?
BARKLEY: Ernie, for sure. And probably -- you know what? As much as I like harassing the big fella, it's probably going to be Shaq, but Ernie's the godfather. He's definitely going to get an invite, but Shaq will get -- Kenny's going to get left out.
COATES: That's cold.
KEILAR: That's sad.
COATES: But, you know, that's -- I understand, but who's making the cut? Tom Brady or Pat Mahomes?
BARKLEY: Oh, Tom Brady. I love Pat Mahomes, but Tom Brady is a pretty man, guys. That's a pretty man.
COATES: We've noticed. We've noticed.
KEILAR: What are you talking about? All right. So, listen, you appreciate the beauty of Tom Brady, as many people do. OK. What about Michael Jordan or LeBron James?
[14:30:00]
BARKLEY: That's a tough one, Brianna. That's a tough one, but I'm going to go with MJ, because he's more of my age. LeBron's still playing. Yes. I mean, old guys got to stick together, for sure.
KINKADE: You know, we just had George Clinton on, and we gave him a toughie, and, you know, he said, leave it to the folks.
COATES: Yes.
KINKADE: So, if you don't want to take -- if you don't want to make a choice, you just leave it to the folks. Just remember, I mean, I don't mean to give you an out here. I shouldn't have told him that.
COATES: But I feel like an active player, though, is not going to eat that much at the cookout, or they'll have all the protein, and that's not fun. You want someone who's not playing right now to eat with you. I understand that.
KEILAR: That's right.
COATES: I get it. KEILAR: You got to have all the other stuff, too.
BARKLEY: Hey, you know, I've been retired for so long, people don't even realize I actually played. I've been retired for 26 years, which is amazing to say. Most people don't even realize I actually played. I'm so old.
COATES: Sir Charles, number 34 for the Phoenix Suns, we remember. Are you kidding me?
KEILAR: Yes. I don't know who those people are, but they're making me feel old, because never in my mind is there a world where Charles Barkley wasn't playing.
COATES: Are you kidding me? Haters.
KEILAR: That's so -- OK, this is the choice, Auburn or Alabama?
BARKLEY: Oh, my god, are you kidding me? Auburn, War Eagle, all day, 365 days a year. I love my best -- best decision going to Auburn, one of the best decisions I ever made.
COATES: OK. We have a little question for you, but I got to get my snack out.
KEILAR: Yes.
COATES: Would you like to have a churro when I ask this question?
KEILAR: Oh, yes. I love to wolf them down.
COATES: San Antonio or Phoenix?
BARKLEY: Phoenix. Phoenix is home. Hey, but listen, churros are -- you can never go wrong with churros. I'm not going to lie. Those things are incredible. Now, they're not Krispy Kreme donuts. Let's get that out the way, because Krispy Kreme donuts are the greatest invention of all -- they are not. Ain't nothing like Krispy Kreme, but churros are a close second.
COATES: You know what they don't have, Krispy Kreme? They don't have this little caramel dunk.
KEILAR: Yes.
COATES: And I'm going to double dip. This is mine. This one's mine.
KEILAR: This is my churros and chocolate. That's what we need here.
COATES: But I mean --
KEILAR: I think -- I don't know, I feel like you should have maybe chosen some San Antonio there, because you got to show San Antonio that love, Charles.
BARKLEY: Hey, let me tell you something. Hey, Brianna, let me tell you all something. If you need to put your sweet in something sweeter, it's not good. Dessert should be standalone. If you have to mix it with some type of sauce or ice cream, it's not a great dessert. Krispy Kreme stands out on their own.
KEILAR: This is some blasphemy.
COATES: You know what, but you -- I do have like the glazed Krispy Kreme too, though. I don't know. I think that's a --
BARKLEY: Yes.
COATES: I'm going to tell my husband. Don't mix my sweet anymore.
KEILAR: I could talk to my husband, who's from San Antonio, and he's going to tell you, he might have to just have a little disagreement with you, Charles Barkley.
COATES: We have to ask him, because San Antonio, we gave you your flowers, but how about the Knicks, the Knicks in five? How sweet was that?
BARKLEY: Hey, it was great for the NBA. I thought it was great for the NBA. You know, I've been around a long time, I've never felt the joy and excitement that I did in games three and four in New York. I was happy for those kids.
You know, Jalen Brunson, that's my grandson's favorite player. I moved down to number five on the list. It's been a rough couple weeks for me with my grandkid -- my grandson, Henry. He told me I was down to number five after Brunson and Hart and Karl-Anthony Towns, Wemby and Michael Jordan.
COATES: Wow.
BARKLEY: So, actually, I'm number six, but it's unbelievable. So, I got him a Jalen Brunson jersey and my granddaughter, Charlie, she wanted a Josh Hart jersey. So, it's been a rough -- it's been rough moving down the food chain, I'm not going to lie.
COATES: Well, Charles, ask your grandchildren if they would like Christmas this year.
BARKLEY: No, it was great for the NBA. Listen, I was so happy for the Knicks and I never really -- I never care who wins, but I was really happy for New York. Now, all those New York fans that came out to Woodwork, those were some clowns. Like they got some great fans in New York, but they don't have that many fans. Trust me. Some of those guys are just front runners, Plain and simple.
COATES: Well, back in the day, I had a Laura Starks jersey. I made it large. Thank you so much. Go ahead, go ahead. Go ahead, Charles.
[14:35:00]
BARKLEY: Listen, I'm happy for Patrick Ewing, Larry Johnson, John Stark, Allan Houston. I'm happy for the entire Knicks organization, but I'm more than anything, I'm really happy for the NBA. I think that was great for the NBA.
COATES: Yes.
KEILAR: Charles, it has been amazing to have you on this fourth. You make -- it is hot here, but you're making it cool. And we, Charles Barkley, appreciate you. TNT Sports inside the NBA. Thank you so much for being with us.
COATES: Bye, Sir Charles.
BARKLEY: No, thank you. Bye-bye, ladies. Hey, stay cool.
KEILAR: Bye, Charles. We will. You know, I was trying to just hold the churros.
COATES: Well, no, but I thought you were trying to --
KEILAR: And then you thought I was trying to take them.
COATES: I get hangry in the heat.
KEILAR: So, I guess I could have been the entryway. Can I point something out?
COATES: Yes.
KEILAR: Have you noticed that our prompter is on the skits? This is -- if you want to know how hot it is here. OK. First, OK. You see, first it is so --
COATES: Don't get the churros. Don't get the churros.
KEILAR: You know, even it is so -- we can't see the prompter because it -- I think it's melted. All right.
COATES: I think it might have.
KEILAR: So, folks in the -- where are we going? We're going to Randi Kaye. Is that right? OK. We had to let our folks in the control room know that it is reached. All right. We're going to Randi Kaye. She is in Provincetown, Massachusetts. We are pretty sure because we're getting a little loopy at this point. Randi -- oh, she's inside. She's got the beers. What? Oysters.
COATES: She's oyster shucking.
KINKADE: Randi, tell us what's happening.
RANDI KAYE, CNN ANCHOR AND NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Oh, yes. You guys, you guys have a melting prop up teleprompter, but I have oysters at the ready here. We're at Mac's Fish House in Provincetown. And we are here with the man himself, Mac, who is teaching me how to shuck oysters. And then we're going to slurp some oysters when we come back.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[14:40:00]
JOHN BERMAN, CNN ANCHOR: Everyone, John Berman. I'm inside super mega ultra-historic Faneuil Hall in Boston, Massachusetts. This is part of my red, white and blue scavenger hunt through revolutionary Boston.
It's so cool to be here inside this room where they just actually had, with tourists from all over the world, a debate over whether or not the United States or the colony should declare their independence from Great Britain. Spoiler alert, they did. They voted yes to a series of huzzahs.
I will tell you that when I was growing up here, Faneuil Hall, I used to like to come here because of all the great food, all the great food that was here in Clinton Market nearby. They're rebuilding Faneuil Hall right behind us right now.
But the food here is awesome. I enjoyed a fake Sam Adams beer outside in front of the statue of Sam Adams. It was fake because there's no open container law in Boston. So, that was iced tea with seltzer. I'll tell you that right here.
With us now is Shawn Quigley, who is a park ranger here at Faneuil Hall. Just tell me about the role this played for the revolution.
SHAWN QUIGLEY, NATIONAL PARK SERVICE RANGER: Sure. So, where we are right now, the Great Hall at Faneuil Hall has been a public meeting space in Boston ever since 1742. So, for over 280 years, Bostonians have gathered here to talk about important issues to remember and to celebrate. And it's during the revolution that this space actually earns the nickname is the Cradle of Liberty. And I would argue it sticks true to that nickname today.
BERMAN: I mean, literally this room known as the Cradle of Liberty. This is the place where liberty was birthed in a way for the entire country. And some of the people have debated here, you know, Sam Adams, John Adams, the Sons of Liberty, all the greats.
QUIGLEY: Absolutely. Yes. So, what's really neat about this space is as Boston's town meeting space, it is where, as you said, John, you know, Samuel Adams, John Hancock, Paul Revere, James Otis, they're all gathering in here. This is where you're probably going to start hearing, you know, no taxation without representation. It's where you have two victims of the Boston Massacre lying in state, including Christmas addicts. And it's where you had the initial tea tax debate that occurred in 1773 before they had to move down the road to Old South Meeting House because so many people showed up here at that time.
BERMAN: So, we just heard this incredible debate and you can see some of the reenactors here about whether to declare independence or not. Was there a push inside here? Did people actually debate against independence in here?
QUIGLEY: So, that's a great question. In the town meeting program that we do, there is a little bit of historic licensing that takes place. Everything that was said in here is rooted in primary sources, but some of those primary sources were taken from people outside of Boston, right? The vote in Boston actually turned out to be unanimous, which as you heard, we were pretty close to that today.
BERMAN: I like that. I love the fact that the vote in Boston for independence was unanimous, as it should have been. And we really did lead the way. Shawn, great to see you.
QUIGLEY: Thank you so much.
BERMAN: Thank you very much.
QUIGLEY: Absolutely.
BERMAN: So, as I said, I'm on this red, white and clue tour through revolutionary Boston with me. So, with me is Kanisorn Wongsrichanala, the chief historian of the Massachusetts Historical Society. We have a clue that I have to answer to figure out where I'll be going to next. Clue number three is --
So, I'm going to put this mic. Queen Elizabeth stopped here 50 years ago. Joyful crowds wanting a chance to see her majesty at this American landmark lighting the way in the land of the free, lighting the way. One if by land, two if by sea.
KANISORN WONGSRICHANALA, CHIEF HISTORIAN, MASSACHUSETTS HISTORICAL SOCIETY: You got it.
[14:45:00]
BERMAN: So, if the lanterns -- so, one if by land, two if by sea, we're talking about the Old North Church. I think we're going to North Boston, one of my favorite places. We'll get some Italian food when we get there. All right, everyone. So, next time you'll see me, I'll be at the Old North Church.
In the meantime, spicy debates here in Faneuil Hall, but we're going to get some spicy food in Nashville, Tennessee. Don't go anywhere. This is our special live coverage.
ANDY SCHOLES, CNN SPORTS ANCHOR: Yes, John, you know, 4th of July, it's all about eating some good food. And here in Nashville, it's all about the hot chicken. And we're going to see how hot that chicken can get coming up.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
CROWD: (INAUDIBLE).
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We are Troop 160 from Stonewall, Louisiana. Right now, we're at in Camp Kia Kilma in Hardy, Arkansas.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We want to thank all the men and women defending our country.
CROWD: Thank you for your service.
CROWD: We are Girl Scouts at Greater Iowa at Camp Tanglefoot in Clear Lake, Iowa.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[14:50:00]
COATES: Well, the 4th of July is not complete without great food. We've got CNN's Randi Kaye out on Cape Cod, Massachusetts at Mac's Fish House in Provincetown. Randi, please tell this hungry soul what is on that menu.
KAYE: Well, I have been put to work here. In fact, Laura, I've been shucking oysters over hours now with Mac here. Mac Hay is the owner of Mac's Fish House. And oysters are what? They're quintessential July 4th, right? Like everybody wants an oyster on July 4th?
MAC HAY, OWNER, MAC'S FISH HOUSE: Everybody wants oysters on July 4th. They're briny. They're fresh. They're a taste of summer.
KAYE: Yes.
HAY: They're exciting and they're not easy to open.
KAYE: No, they're not. I've been practicing and these are Wellfleets?
HAY: These are Wellfleet oysters.
KAYE: So, they're from like 15, 20 miles down the road here in Wellfleet?
HAY: Yes, yes.
KAYE: OK. Great. And as you -- you've been shucking, I know, but before you teach me how to shuck real quick, you were actually -- this is so interesting, Mac is a descendant of Governor Bradford, who was the lead pilgrim or the captain?
HAY: He was the captain of the Mayflower and the governor of Plymouth. Yes,
KAYE: Wow. So, the Mayflower actually docked here first in Provincetown.
HAY: It did. Yes. Yes.
KAYE: Before it went to Plymouth.
HAY: Before it went to Plymouth. Actually, his first wife fell overboard here, and there's a little grave marker for her right down the street from here.
KAYE: Oh, my goodness.
HAY: But then they went on and went to Plymouth from here.
KAYE: So, you're like what number descendant from him?
HAY: We are the -- our generation is the 12th, 13th generation. So, he's my 12th great-grandfather.
KAYE: That is amazing. So, you have a lot of history here related to the country, to the Mayflower.
HAY: Yes.
KAYE: OK. Now, let's get to the oysters. Tell me how -- what's the trick in shucking?
HAY: The trick in shucking is the oyster has a cup on the bottom and a flat side on the top, and you want to get a nice purchase in the hinge.
KAYE: OK.
HAY: And you want to basically pop that hinge open just enough to get your knife in there.
KAYE: Oh, OK.
HAY: You see that? There you go, you got it.
KAYE: Yes, yes. I'm in.
HAY: And then there's a muscle on the very top that attaches the shell. You want to gently cut that muscle. It's not to disturb the oyster. See how I did it? Let's see how you.
KAYE: You're much better at it than I am.
HAY: Oh, not bad, not bad.
KAYE: Oh, OK.
HAY: That's a rookie mistake. You pulled instead of cut.
KAYE: Rookie. OK.
HAY: Yes. But that's OK. Just now get that clean.
KAYE: OK.
HAY: Now, we're going to turn the oyster, get rid of that shell.
KAYE: Get rid of that.
HAY: Just flip the oyster around. You're going to go right to left and cut the muscle on the bottom.
KAYE: OK.
HAY: See, now I'm free.
KAYE: I hope everybody's having lunch who's watching this right now.
HAY: Oh, that's pretty good.
KAYE: OK, it's free.
HAY: Yes. Are you sure it's free?
KAYE: I think.
HAY: There you go. Now, you're free.
KAYE: OK. And then we slurp?
HAY: Now, we slurp.
KAYE: OK.
HAY: Happy 4th.
KAYE: Cheers. Happy4th.
HAY: Right?
KAYE: Wow.
HAY: It's like diving in the ocean on a hot summer day.
KAYE: That is delicious. Happy 4th, everyone. Enjoy.
HAY: Happy Independence Day.
KAYE: We're -- going to keep me busy here.
HAY: You got it.
KAYE: Back you to, Laura.
COATES: I love it. Watch your thumbs. Don't get any injuries. You know, the lawyer in me has to say that to you. Randi Kaye, that looks amazing and I'm jealous.
You know what? You know what? You had a little bit of an ocean dip there. Now, I want to get some hot chicken because I want to go down to Nashville because CNN's Andy Scholes is joining us now. Andy, this festival has some pretty spicy history, doesn't it?
SCHOLES: Oh, you know it, Laura. And you know, 4th of July, it's all about fun, food and fireworks. We're having some fun with some fiery food here in Nashville. We're at the 20th Annual Music City Hot Chicken Festival. As you can see, there's hundreds of people lined up behind me to get themselves some hot chicken.
We're actually outside the Prince's Hot Chicken Tent. You know, Nashville, it's the country music capital of the country. And it's also the capital of hot chicken. And we're going to go talk to some hot chicken royalty right now. Come on in here, Stu. It's a thousand degrees outside, so we're coming inside the tent.
All right. Joining me now, we've got Ms. Andre Prince. She's the owner of Prince's Hot Chicken and Bill Purcell, the former mayor of Nashville. He actually founded this festival 20 years ago. Guys, happy 4th of July, first of all.
Ms. Andre, I'm going to start with you. I understand, so Prince's Hot Chicken, the recipe, it came back way back in the 1940s. And there's actually a fun story with your uncle of how it came about.
ANDRE PRINCE, PRINCE'S HOT CHICKEN: I correct you, it was in the 1930s.
SCHOLES: '30s, OK. So, how did the recipe come about?
PRINCE: 1936 is when he opened his first restaurant.
SHOLES: OK.
[14:55:00]
PRINCE: Prior to that, they sold it out of the house.
SCHOLES: Got you. How did you get the recipe? Where did it come from?
PRINCE: (INAUDIBLE). He just gave it to me.
SCHOLES: OK. All right. Bill, this festival, it's become such a big deal here. Nashville Hot Chicken, you can find it all over the country. How proud of you of just how popular it has become?
BILL PURCELL, FORMER MAYOR OF NASHVILLE: Well, I'm proud of the chicken. I'm proud of the people who brought it to us. And now, frankly, the vendors in Nashville and almost 2,400 places around the globe that are claiming to serve Nashville Hot Chicken every day.
SCHOLES: Yes. All right. We're going to have some fun. We've got some Nashville Hot Chicken in front of us. Now, you're going to ask me some questions. If I get it wrong, I've got to keep eating, all right? And I understand we've got mild. We might skip mild. And we've got hot, hotter, and then completely -- oh, it's the other way around.
PURCELL: Yes. It's the other way around.
SCHOLES: All right. That does look super-hot. All right. What's the first question, guys?
PURCELL: All right. First question, Andre.
PRINCE: First question. What was the man's name that started it?
SCHOLES: James Thornton Prince?
PRINCE: Oh, that was a good one.
SCHOLES: Did my homework. All right. PRINCE: You certainly did.
SCHOLES: I know. What's the next one?
PRINCE: What's the river that runs through Nashville?
SCHOLES: Cumberland. I'm not even going to have to eat anything.
PRINCE: Very good. And what was the main beverage of Uncle Thornton's Hot Chicken? The main beverage when he had it?
SCHOLES: I don't know. So, I'm going to just go ahead and dive into the hottest, hottest one.
PRINCE: Well, go on to the extra, extra hot.
SCHOLES: And see how I do.
PURCELL: You're a brave man.
PRINCE: Oh, wow. Is that the extra, extra?
SCHOLES: That was way too big a bite.
PRINCE: Oh, my goodness.
SCHOLES: And that is hot chicken.
PRINCE: Don't pass out yet.
SCHOLES: Laura, back to you. I've got to go.
COATES: What were you thinking, Andy Scholes, on a day like this, take that big bite of chicken and the hottest one ever? Oh, my gosh. Unbelievable. That looks so amazing. Andy Scholes, thank you. I love Nashville.
Hey, our coverage continues coast to coast. We'll send it out live to the Big Apple. Sara Sidner, Victor Blackwell will join us.
And we're not just celebrating here on Earth, mind you. We are celebrating in space. The Artemis II crew joins us live. That's just ahead.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[15:00:00]
