Friends and families gathering for cookouts in backyards and parks. Burgers and hot dogs smoking on the grill. Games on the lawn. Firecrackers and sparklers. Singing "The Star-Spangled Banner." Community firework displays. These are just a few sights and sounds of a traditional Fourth of July celebration.

And for millions of Americans, the Fourth wouldn't be the Fourth without tuning in to "A Capitol Fourth" on PBS.

This time-honored 43 year-tradition puts viewers front and center for America's biggest birthday party, with an incredible fireworks display lighting up the iconic D.C. skyline. This year, the nation's 247th birthday will be celebrated with musical performances by top stars from pop, country, R&B, classical, and Broadway, backed by the National Symphony Orchestra under the direction of premier pops conductor Jack Everly.

The National Symphony Orchestra began performing Independence Day concerts on the west lawn of the U. S. Capitol building in 1979. A year later, PBS started televising the show. The first telecast was hosted by E. G. Marshall, with Mstislav Rostropovich conducting the orchestra and legendary musical star Pearl Bailey performing live. Forty-three years later, "A Capitol Fourth" is the highest-rated show on PBS.

Even people who don't typically watch PBS find themselves switching to the channel on the evening of July 4 to watch fireworks displays and 90 minutes of patriotic music performed by some of the biggest names in showbusiness - all live from our nation's capital. Because the broadcast is repeated throughout the night, one can tune into the festivities regardless of the hour.

A monumental amount of work goes on behind the scenes of "A Capitol Fourth" to bring the sights and sounds of the concert to the millions of viewers watching from home. This year more than 20 television cameras will be stationed on the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol and around Washington, D.C., ensuring that viewers are front and center for the show and the nation's grandest fireworks display.

For lovers of American music, the show never fails to deliver. Over its 43-year history, "A Capitol Fourth" has featured the cream of the crop in American entertainment - including Frankie Valli, Patti LaBelle, John Williams, Stevie Wonder, Aretha Franklin, Reba McEntire, Carole King, Neil Diamond, Dolly Parton, Steve Martin, Josh Groban, Gloria Estefan, Huey Lewis and the News, Little Richard, Tony Bennett, Faith Hill, Ray Charles, the Bee Gees, Kenny G, Aaron Neville, Kenny Rogers and the Muppets from "Sesame Street." Every year superstars of this caliber set the tone for America's most spectacular birthday extravaganza.