ABC opens Disney Celebrates America with Statue of Liberty torch view
ABC kicked off its 24-hour "Disney Celebrates America" broadcast with a rare look inside the Statue of Liberty, as anchor David Muir climbed through Lady Liberty's right arm to the torch more than 300 feet above New York Harbor to mark America's 250th anniversary.
The opening moment launched ABC's Semiquincentennial coverage on the evening of July 3, continuing through July 4 across ABC, Disney+, Hulu, ESPN, National Geographic, FX, and Freeform. Muir leads the multi-platform event with reporting across all 50 states.
Key Takeaways
- David Muir reached the Statue of Liberty's torch with National Park Service historian Matt Housch—a vantage granted to very few people.
- ABC's "Disney Celebrates America" is a 24-hour broadcast tied to the nation's 250th anniversary, running from July 3 through July 4, 2026.
- Disney+ subscribers can follow live coverage through the ABC News Stream, with National Geographic segments airing July 4 from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. ET.
- Inside the statue, Muir saw thin copper panels and rivets that reveal how the landmark was engineered to sway with the wind.
What happened at the Statue of Liberty during Disney Celebrates America?
According to ABC News live updates, the 250th celebration began with a rare view from the Statue of Liberty's torch. Muir climbed the double helical staircase toward the crown before continuing through Lady Liberty's right arm.
Along the way, he examined the intricate copper patchwork inside the monument. Historian Matt Housch told Muir the copper is "almost two pennies" thick—green patina outside, dark like a penny inside, with rivets holding each piece together.
At the torch, Muir noted strong winds and said you can feel the statue sway, by design, to withstand weather after more than a century. ABC described the climb as the broadcast's opening centerpiece for America 250.
Where can you watch ABC's Disney Celebrates America coverage?
The Walt Disney Company is marking the Semiquincentennial—the 250 years since the Declaration of Independence in 1776—with a company-wide "Disney Celebrates America" initiative spanning programming and experiences.
Per Disney+, the 24-hour cross-platform broadcast began the evening of July 3 and runs through July 4. Viewers can tune in on ABC, Disney+, Hulu, ESPN, National Geographic, FX, Freeform, and ABC News Live.
Disney+ subscribers can stream live festivities through the ABC News Stream. The service also offered themed programming and Disney+ Perks tied to the milestone, including the two-hour special "Disney Celebrates America: The Pursuit of Happiness." For more holiday-weekend viewing options, see our Streaming & TV Alerts coverage.
How does National Geographic fit into the ABC broadcast?
National Geographic partnered with ABC News on "Seven Natural Wonders of America," highlighted during the Disney Celebrates America marathon. Segments featuring ABC anchors and National Geographic Explorers air Saturday, July 4, from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. ET.
The National Geographic feature points to destinations such as the Grand Canyon, which draws more than six million visitors a year. Explorer Pete McBride, who hiked the canyon's full 750-mile length, calls the landscape a "time machine" shaped by water over billions of years.
Nat Geo notes the full 24-hour event streams on Disney+, Hulu, ESPN, Nat Geo, FX, and Freeform, with replays available the next day on Disney+ and Hulu.
Why does the Statue of Liberty torch climb matter for America 250?
The torch vantage is normally off-limits to the public, making Muir's climb a visual anchor for a broadcast built to span every state. ABC frames "Disney Celebrates America" as 24 hours of programming honoring the people, places, and moments that define U.S. history.
From Lady Liberty's crown to coast-to-coast reporting and Fourth of July celebrations nationwide, the event ties a symbol of immigration and freedom to a wider anniversary story. ABC's live updates continued rolling as the July 4 schedule unfolded across its networks and streaming apps.