April 19, 2000 (REVISED April 20, 2000) National Birthday Party Celebrates 200th Birthday of the Library of Congress

On Monday, April 24, the Library of Congress hosts a Bicentennial Birthday Party with a series of events.

Magician David Copperfield will perform an illusion, General Colin Powell will highlight Abraham Lincoln's words on the Gettysburg battlefield, Sesame Street's Big Bird and Maria will sing "Happy Birthday," and Mickey Hart, formerly with the Grateful Dead, will host live performances of American music at a National Bicentennial Birthday Party for the 200th anniversary of the founding of the Library of Congress on Monday, April 24, from 12 to 2:30 p.m. on the East Lawn of the U.S. Capitol Building. The celebration is free and open to the public.

Cokie Roberts will host the event, which will include some 34 "Living Legends" receiving a medal from the Library of Congress in recognition of their contributions to American life. Additional performers include: Lance Bass and Justin Timberlake of 'N Sync (new addition), the Saturday Night Live Band, the Smokey Town Singers, the Kan Kouran West African Dancers, Giovanni Hidalgo, Tito Puente, David Sanchez, Ralph Stanley & the Clinch Mountain Boys, Pete Seeger and Tao Rodriguez, Kathy Mattea, Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown, Dianne Reeves, the Chi-Lites, Bob Weir, Rori Godsey, the Eastern High School Choir and the Army Blues jazz ensemble. A full schedule follows:

April 24, 2000
Thomas Jefferson Building, Library of Congress

9:30 a.m.-10:30 a.m.
Great Hall
First day of issue stamp and coin ceremonies. Stamps and coins on sale.

11 a.m.- 11:45 a.m.
Visitors' Theater
PRESS PREVIEW. Launch of a new entertaining Web site for children and their families. New public service advertising campaign unveiled for television, radio and Web, in partnership with The Ad Council.

Noon - 2:30 p.m.
East Lawn of the U.S. Capitol at 1st Street and Independence Avenue S.E.
Free performances and concert honoring American Voice and Song, featuring Gen. Colin Powell, Sesame Street's Big Bird and Maria, The Saturday Night Live Band, Pete Seeger and Tao Rodriguez, Ralph Stanley and The Clinch Mountain Boys, Kathy Mattea, Tito Puente, Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown, Giovanni Hidalgo, Smokey Town Singers, The Army Blues, Dianne Reeves, David Copperfield, Mickey Hart and Bob Weir, Kan Kouran Dancers, David Sanchez, Eastern High School Choir, and Lance Bass and Justin Timberlake of 'N Sync,

12:30 p.m.
PHOTO OP
Main stage outside of the Thomas Jefferson Building
Librarian of Congress James Billington will be joined by "Living Legends" and Big Bird and Maria of "Sesame Street" in blowing out the candles on a large birthday cake in the shape of the Thomas Jefferson Building.

2 p.m.
PHOTO OP
Members Room of the Thomas Jefferson Building
"Living Legends" luncheon

3 p.m. - 4 p.m.
Press Availability
Room 103, Thomas Jefferson Building
"Living Legends" will be available for interviews.

6:30 p.m.
Great Hall
Remarks by Sen. Ted Stevens (R-AL), historian David McCullough, Dallas Cowboy's owner Jerry Jones, and Librarian of Congress James H. Billington and opening reception for "Thomas Jefferson" exhibition. By invitation only; open to press to cover.