On July 1, 1951, CBS radio and the Committee to Proclaim Liberty presented a 175th birthday celebration for the Unites States. Jimmy Stewart was the show’s host. The publicity for the program featured newspaper display ads like this one from the San Antonio Express:
There were also descriptive ads like this one from The Decatur Daily Review (Decatur, IL):
The show opened with My Country ‘Tis of Thee and then Stewart introduced the program:
After Mills’ prayer, Jimmy is back to introduce Bing Crosby:
Jimmy comes back once again to introduce Lionel Barrymore who reads the preamble to the Declaration of Independence:
Next, Stewart announces a special musical work titled Heritage:
Gloria Swanson is next on the program and Jimmy introduces her:
The final guest on the program is General Matthew B. Ridgeway:
Finally, Jimmy is back to close the program and give some of the credits:
A more complete history of this show can be found in our book, Jimmy Stewart on the Air.
