Today America is 200 years old and today 214-million Americans are celebrating their Bicentennial.

From San Francisco to Alaska, from Niagara Falls to the Mexican Border... from fireworks, church services, rodeos and barbecues to street parades, orchestral concerts and pop festivals, there has never been an anniversary celebration like this, including:
Sunrise over the Grand Canyon; Review of the Pacific Fleet off San Francisco; Hydroplane Racing down the Mississippi; Fence Painting and raft racing in Tom Sawyer's country; Bicentennial Waggon Train at Valley Forge; Tall Ships racing round Manhattan Island Indian Rodeo in Arizona; Beach Parties in California; Louis Armstrong Memorial Jazz Concert from New Orleans Symphony Concert and chorus of 1,000 at Fort Worth, Texas; and Pictures from Mars as 'Viking' prepares to land on the planet...

James Burke introduces edited highlights from the day-long programme of outside broadcasts presented in America by NBCtv as America enjoys the biggest birthday party in the world.