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ABC SPECIAL
Air Date: Monday, June 29, 2026
Time Slot: 8:00 PM-10:00 PM EST on ABC
Episode Title: "Disney Celebrates America: The Pursuit of Happiness"
[NOTE: The following article is a press release issued by the aforementioned network and/or company. Any errors, typos, etc. are attributed to the original author. The release is reproduced solely for the dissemination of the enclosed information.]

'DISNEY CELEBRATES AMERICA: THE PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS' AIRS MONDAY, JUNE 29, ON ABC, STREAMS NEXT DAY ON DISNEY+ AND HULU

'20/20' Co-Anchor Deborah Roberts and ABC News National Correspondent Will Reeve Host the Coast-to-Coast Celebration of Great American Triumphs

ABC News Studios*

"Disney Celebrates America: The Pursuit of Happiness," a two-hour primetime special hosted by "20/20" co-anchor Deborah Roberts from Walt Disney World Resort and ABC News national correspondent Will Reeve from Disneyland, airs Monday, June 29, on ABC (8:00-10:00 p.m. EDT) and streams next day on Disney+ and Hulu. From Main Street U.S.A.'s turn-of-the-century nostalgia to Cars Land's homage to the great American road trip and what it says about our love for the open road, each stop will play host to true tales of American innovations and triumphs. In this coast-to-coast event, Disney Parks and attractions are the portal through which America's greatest stories, triumphs and traditions are celebrated.

Marvel over the creation of some of the most iconic American-made toys that shaped so many wonderful childhood memories in Toy Story Land. Moana Jones Wong, the 26-year-old Hawaiian superstar, shares her personal perspective of the 50th state's unique culture and community, and from the iconic American magazine National Geographic, Explorer-at-Large Dr. Sylvia Earle, known as "Joan of Arc of the Seas," talks about her pioneering conservation efforts to explore and protect life beneath the shining seas.

The special travels back in time to J&M Recording Studio in New Orleans, otherwise known as the birthplace of Rock 'n' Roll, with multitalented musician Jon Batiste, and then dives into the world of global air travel, exploring how Pan Am crafted a uniquely American identity in flight, reshaping the modern world. ESPN's "Wide World of Sports" chronicles the evolution of baseball, focusing on the Savannah Bananas, and celebrates the athleticism, showmanship and history of America's Black ball players.

Main Street is more than a street name; it's a representation of the heart of the American community. The special looks at one of the country's oldest family-run small businesses, as well as the rise of the automobile industry and its connection to personal freedom. Next, the legendary Grauman's Chinese Theatre (now known as the TCL Chinese Theatre) sets the stage to experience the allure of old Hollywood and the singular icon Marilyn Monroe, who shifted the public's perception of celebrity and fame. The special also pays homage to ABC News' extraordinary 30 hours of continuous coverage of the Apollo 11 moon landing in 1969, with a look toward the future.

An encore broadcast of "Disney Celebrates America: The Pursuit of Happiness" will air Friday, July 3 (8:00-10:00 p.m. EDT), on ABC.

"Disney Celebrates America: The Pursuit of Happiness" is produced by "20/20" and ABC News Studios. Matt Lombardi and Jennifer Joseph serve as executive producers. Janice Johnston is executive producer for "20/20." David Sloan serves as senior executive producer for ABC News Studios.

About ABC News Studios

ABC News Studios is inspired by ABC News' trusted reporting and is an award-winning, premium news and documentary original production house and commissioning partner of series and specials. ABC News Studios champions untold and authentic stories driving the cultural zeitgeist, spanning true crime, investigations, pop culture and news-adjacent stories. ABC News Studios' original titles include critically acclaimed documentaries "Pretty Baby: Brooke Shields," "BRATS," "The Lady Bird Diaries," Emmy(R)-winning "Patrice: The Movie," "Barbara Walters Tell Me Everything," "Lilith Fair: Building a Mystery - The Untold Story" and most recently "#SKYKING." Other popular docuseries, documentaries and specials include "Scamanda," "The Fox Hollow Murders: Playground of a Serial Killer," "Betrayal: Under His Eye," "Death in Apartment 603: What Happened to Ellen Greenberg?," "Mr. and Mrs. Murder" and "Trophy Wife: Murder on Safari" and "The Mystery of Richard Simmons - A Diane Sawyer Special."







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