A special film report by Julian Pettifer

This year, over 200-million Americans are celebrating their nation's 200th birthday with all the expected exuberance and razzmatazz. For months now it's been bi-centennial this and buy-centennial that; and if not quite the best, certainly the biggest and longest party in history. But for many Americans it's also been the opportunity to take stock - to consider again the hopes and promises of the founding fathers as stated in the Declaration of Independence. How far do the precepts of Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness still hold good in America?

In tonight's film, the first of three, Julian Pettifer looks at those present-day Americans whose ancestors in 1776 were not thought to have been 'created equal.' They had to wait a good deal longer before they too could say 'Free at Last': America's Blacks.