RUSC MAILING

Written by Ned Norris

This Independence Day is a very special one indeed.

July 4th, 2026 marks the 250th anniversary of American Independence — a quarter of a millennium since the Declaration of Independence was adopted in Philadelphia in 1776. It’s a moment well worth pausing over, not only for the fireworks and festivities, but for the remarkable story behind the birth of the United States.

To mark the occasion, I’ve chosen a particularly fitting Old Time Radio broadcast to feature: Philadelphia, July 4th, 1776 from the CBS series _You Are There_.

If you’ve never heard You Are There, it was one of radio’s most imaginative historical drama series. The idea was wonderfully simple: what if modern radio reporters had been on the scene at history’s greatest moments? With “live” bulletins, dramatic interviews, and on-the-spot commentary, it placed listeners right in the middle of events that shaped the world.

In Philadelphia, July 4th, 1776, CBS takes us back to the tense days surrounding the Declaration of Independence, with John Dickinson, John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, and others debating the future of the colonies. The episode reminds us that independence was not inevitable. It was argued over, feared, resisted, defended — and finally declared by men who understood the enormous risk they were taking.

Last year, I featured _The Cavalcade of America_ episode Sound the Great Bell, and this year’s You Are There broadcast makes a fine companion piece, bringing a different style and a real sense of urgency to that same pivotal moment in history.

I’ve also created a brand new Fourth of July radio station for the occasion, featuring over 50 Old Time Radio shows connected with American Independence, the holiday, and its meaning.

There’s a lovely mix of comedy, drama, history, and patriotic reflection, including:
 

• The Great Gildersleeve_ — “The Jolly Boys’ Fourth of July Picnic”
• Lum and Abner_ — “Fourth of July Picnic”
• Life with Luigi_ — “Luigi’s Independence Day Parade”Programs from _Cavalcade of America_ and _Columbia Presents Corwin_
• Norman Corwin’s moving wartime broadcast “Home for the Fourth”

And, just for fun, I’ve put together a special American Independence quiz to test your knowledge of the people, events, and ideas behind the Fourth of July. After listening to the featured You Are There episode, I reckon you’ll be well on your way to a perfect score!

So this Independence Day, as America marks 250 years since 1776, I hope you’ll take a little time to listen, reflect, and enjoy. Whether it’s the drama of the Continental Congress, the comedy of a holiday picnic, or the thoughtful words of Norman Corwin, RUSC Old Time Radio gives us a marvelous way to remember not just the date, but the people and principles behind it.

Happy listening, and happy Independence Day,

RUSC Old Time Radiowww.rusc.com

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