Liberty Weekend July 4, 1986 Part 1

[@cozmorio]

I was there in Battery Park that night. This fireworks display was so magnificent, it spoiled all others I've ever seen since. Nothing could live up to it. Black ashes were raining down on the throngs of us in Battery Park as we watched this spectacle in awe. So proud to be an American were we take the time and the effort to celebrate the achievements of our forefathers who made this great country what it is today...the best place on Earth.

[@louisyeostros4978]

I was there too and managed (with a dozen others) to climb up on the WWII Memorial’s eagle

[@justinroberts7291]

I was eight years old. My father brought my sister, brother and I. It was glorious. What a wonderful memory. God bless America.

[@crazydiamond7480]

Was sitting in a boat in New York Harbor with my Uncle and cousins. Have never seen a fireworks show that is half as good as this one was I will never forget it.

[@Rethman01]

The best show ever and I've been to a lot of them... imagine NYC, Battery Park to Mid-town surrounded by fireworks barges (on East River, Hudson and in the harbor) on all sides with music so loud the entire southern half of the City was transfixed. Unsurpassed in scope, ever. (Gotta admit, Japanese and others have developed some amazing big-shell displays since then.)

[@WorldPercTV]

Great times to be in the city. All the locaqls left, streets were empty. We paddled down from the 70's to the towers as the tall ships were going up.

[@ScrappleCheesesteaks]

Your grandpa was a genius. To this day I don't recall a more amazing fireworks show than this NYC '86. 9:25 - that is simply beautiful. I THINK I still have the Time magazine - with the Statue & fireworks on the cover.

[@kdtrimble]

I had the opportunity and pleasure of being there. Watching the fireworks from above on the 100th floor of one of the World Trade Towers. My parents were on a ship among the tall ships there off the Battery. What a great time from me and America!

[@aaazzz090]

Thanks very kindly for sharing your experience of the Fourth of July in 1986, it’s so awesome to hear great experiences like this,thank you again,,,,

[@SK-qc6fb]

I mostly remember the street festival, all of lower Manhatten was closed to traffic, reminded me of the pedestrian areas in Europe!

[@ScrappleCheesesteaks]

The tall 360ft antenna - surrounded by dozens of smaller antennas for local NYC TV/radio (It was only on One World Trade). It was also lit up at night. Those towers were simple, yet majestic.

[@markdichiara6299]

May of 1986 hands across america statue of liberty turned 100

[@LadyL31786]

I was 3.5 months old at the time of this special. The NYC skyline is so beautiful, especially at night including the twin towers.

[@freddyrobinson6453]

I have yet to visualize a massive fireworks showcase on U.S.A. land greater than the one I witnessed for "Liberty Weekend" July 4, 1986 to this very day! The mantra of the Reagan-era was big is in. I guess that included fireworks displays. This was President Ronald Reagan at the peak of his governing powers. He had this uncanny ability to continuously uplift the mood of a people to hope and optimism when there semed to be an overcast of self-doubt and pessimism. One may not even realize watching this surreal fireworks showcase that just 5 and a half months ago prior to "Liberty Weekend", the nation witnessed a traumatic accidental disaster that would be seared into the memory of all Americans who watched live the space shuttle challenger fatalities of 7 crew members. President Ronald Reagan was messaging to his American neighbors that the U.S.A. is far better than the sum of her faults.

[@Anglynn74]

went to this but didnt stay for the fireworks. they had tons of stuff going on during the day & my dad wanted to beat the traffic....so here I am 31 yrs later getting to see it on youtube lol

[@brandondenver4331]

Good for you. Glad you're able to see what you missed. :)

[@joeanderson3807]

I had the honor of being aboard the " HMS Rose" as a crew member that weekend

[@vincentsavoia4683]

I was born on this day!

[@conormacdonald6237]

Amazing Display From Many Years Ago 4:17 Waltzing Matilda As Written By Banjo Paterson And Rule Britanna Song Of The UK

[@charlessmith263]

So it is that fireworks spectacular that involved the Gruccis, Zambellis, and Souzas, combining forces in one great pyro display? If confirmed, tell me.

[@marsrideroneofficial]

May 5, 2024, reading Guinness book of world record 1987, pp 668. Largest classical concert crowd of 800,000. Miss liberty weekend celebration in central park N.Y. July 5, 1986. 🏆

[@barbaraduke5088]

My memory of this July4th was that Mikhail Baryshnikov became an American Citizen and performed as well. I had always been a fan.

[@daver629111]

I was present. I enjoyed lightning off packages and packages of firecrackers safely. I had business and family in the area at the time. I am very fortunate to have known the people of NewYork and the their hospitality. And to be shown their city, as home and to be introduced to NewYork as knowable and warm. Home. Had family live in Brooklyn for a bit as well. I have not spent enormous time in the area, but my memories are good. Especially since family members started their family there and returned for education. This was a very good safe time in life. I am sorry NewYorkers have suffered since. I was in awe of the city then and I hope to always be continued in the awe of New Yorks remarkableness. May Liberty Always mark her shores

[@brada7718]

I was there also for this night. I had the pleasure of being able to visit New York several times in the middle 80's and my memories are so in tune with what you wrote.

[@daver629111]

New York City summer Hot it was. night fall is a relief in newyork summer I recall

[@charlessmith263]

6:46 - That is the Mexican song called "Las Chiapanecas." 7:21 mark, we hear the famous Jewish song, "Hava Nagila", beloved all over Isreal." 7:58 mark, I hear the Brahms' Hungarian Dance in F-Sharp Minor, transposed in A minor. 8:24 mark - we hear "The Great Gate of Kiev" from "Pictures of an Exhibition" by Modeste Mussorgsky.

[@Anglynn74]

I went to this but I was there on the 5th, the day after most of the events. I believe it was the entire weekend, a couple days of events. Went to southstreet seaport, took the ferry over to the statue of liberty, etc. had a good time. even went down to the WTC. cool weekend but I also remember it being extremely hot that day, we baked for sure.

[@Chewie316]

@alexkinney87 the transmitter where tv and radio signals were sent through.

[@baylinkdashyt]

Same question to you as to TVnutboy: Can you locate Hugh Downs telling Sam Donaldson to shut up while anchoring the ABC coverage of this?

[@jamesdichiara632]

statue of liberty reopened on july 4th 2009 following the 9.11 attacks.

[@SK-qc6fb]

I think this was the beginning of the turn around for NYC, soon Guiliani was in office to clean up the streets, 'was sort of the beginning NYC renaisance, which partially ended on 9/10/01!

[@okebaram]

Do you have the part where Sandi Patty sings the Star Spangled Banner

[@jamesdichiara632]

july 4th 2009statue of loberty

[@CoasterMan13Official]

Auld Lang Syne in a 4th of July soundtrack?

[@kristydavis7894]

That's was in the good ass days then there wasn't no shootings everyone had a good time back then even throw l was 3 years old at the time

[@17z483]

KCET Zahramay Falls APEC Fireworks October 14, 1995 Part 1

[@RobertELee-ud6sf]

2 years of Reconian freedom! Well more like 2 years and 3 months now :v

[@RobertELee-ud6sf]

Now 3 years and 4 months

[@Daveonarave]

Too bad I wasn't around then, this looks simply stunning and would loved to have been there. However, and its unfortunate this should come to my mind but for those conspiracy theory mad people out there about a horribly dark day more recently in that city, I expect they would look at 5:00 and claim it was a sign or something stupid like that. Hoping there will be a similar event for 150th in 2036 - i should still be alive then and would def try to be there!

[@LexLucario7922]

Daveonarave 5:00 was just an accidental bad case of Foreshadowing, one of the fireworks looked like it was exactly where the first plane hit which might spark some crazy person to go on a rant.

[@TooleManTV]

@ambergrrrl1 Go right ahead.

[@tiraomarkluijinp.9247]

When i see those twin towers, i will not forget it.