Greatest American Blog

As an ongoing part of the Greatest American Road Tour, we will be stopping to ask you who you think is the Greatest American and why -- and posting the replies here. Here are some responses from people who attended the Philadelphia event:

Reverend Billy Graham – his is a great example of moral principles that our country was founded on.
Lolly V., 54
Yakima, WA

George W. Bush is the greatest American because he is a good man and his is also protecting our country. He cares about America and all the people in America.
Stephanie D.
Upper Darby, PA

Joe Montana is the greatest American. He represents all that is good and true and uplifting in the American era. His legendary sports status speaks for itself.
Clayton B., 23
Stanford, CA

Martin Luther King Jr. – unlike many figures of celebrity status, MLK worked for a cause that bettered all Americans. While his actions resulted in political change for a particular under-represented group (minorities: which includes women and various non-European ethnic groups), his outcome impacted social change and cultural unity for the American people.
Traci C., 30
West Chester, PA

Nikola Tesla – for his genius and vision when dealing with what could be done with electricity – where would we be without the AC systems of electricity. The electric motor. The tele-automaion – the first remote controlled vehicle. And his vision of wireless broadcast of electrical energy which may yet come into being.
John P., 47
Paoli, PA

americanblog at 5:28:38 PM EDT Permalink | Blog about this entry |  Add to del.icio.us |  digg this This entry has 23 comments: Show Recent | Add your own

As an ongoing part of the Greatest American Road Tour, we will be stopping to ask you who you think is the Greatest American and why -- and posting the replies here. Here are some responses from people who attended the Philadelphia event:

Muhammad Ali is the greatest American because he gave people hope that they can fulfill their goals, aspirations and dreams – plus he made many people happy and gave them entertainment through his self promotion. What a man, what a man, what a man, what a mighty fine man. Only in America. God bless America!
Eric B, 46
Gladwyne, PA

John Adam – mainly because if it weren’t for his stubbornness and determination, we wouldn’t have a United States of America today.
Joseph N., 26
Philadelphia, PA

The American fighting soldier. Without him, we would not have our freedom and choices. From the list, Ben Franklin – all around inventor and ambassador.
Tim L., 36
Mt. Joy, PA

Rosa Parks – she’s symbolic of an average person insisting on her basic rights w/no agenda other than advancing the basic democratic principles of freedom and equality. She had no idea the role she would play in the movement.
Jeanne S., 54
Haiku, HI

americanblog at 8:17:30 PM EDT Permalink | Blog about this entry |  Add to del.icio.us |  digg this This entry has 95 comments: Show Recent | Add your own

It's almost time for to announce the GREATEST AMERICAN of all time as selected by you!  Don't forget to watch Discovery Channel's "GREATEST AMERICAN" finale this coming Sunday, June 26 at 9PM ET televised live from New York! The seven-hour series culminates in real-time election-style voting, as America selects one person to be named the "Greatest American." 

 

Click here to cast your vote.

americanblog at 5:07:05 PM EDT Permalink | Blog about this entry |  Add to del.icio.us |  digg this This entry has 12 comments: Show Recent | Add your own

The Greatest American Road Tour could not have come to a better close than its final stop in historical Philadelphia. On a beautiful summer Saturday, the bus rolled into Independence Park alongside the Liberty Bell, Independence Hall and the National Constitution Center. Crowds flocked to our set-up on the lawn of the Visitor Center. Thousands approached the microphone to stump for their favorite American and cast their vote on the top 25 nominees at our voting tent. Local Ben Franklin and George Washington impersonators posed for countless pictures with the crowds. Independence Park was by far an ideal set-up for one of the final Road Tour events.

Fathers’ Day at the Plaza at King of Prussia drew immense crowds. An estimated 100,000 people strolled through our set-up outside of Nordstrom. Lines formed in order to vote at our top 25 nominee voting kiosks, and others gathered to get their picture taken with Franklin and Washington. People were thrilled to be making a difference on the final top 5 nominees chosen. Balloons were a huge hit with the children and families shopping at the Plaza. Kids were coming from all directions to get their hands on a Greatest American balloon.

Following the Sunday airing of the show, Monday morning brought the opportunity to make Philadelphians aware of the top 5 Greatest American nominees chosen. What better place to reach Philadelphians than City Hall? As Philadelphia woke on Monday morning and made their way to work, we were at City Hall handing out top 5 ballots and asking people to vote on whom they think should be number one! Our team interacted and mingled with locals from the early morning through lunchtime – Then made our way to Pat’s for our very own Philadelphia cheese steaks!!

With its historical roots and friendly locals, Philadelphia provided this Road Tour with an ideal conclusion to the 10-city tour. Whether you came by our events in one or more of our cities, the Road Tour team is very thankful for your participation and time. Remember to tune in and watch at 9 PM on Sunday, June 26th when America decides who is the Greatest American!

americanblog at 12:35:31 PM EDT Permalink | Blog about this entry |  Add to del.icio.us |  digg this This entry has 8 comments: Show Recent | Add your own

As an ongoing part of the Greatest American Road Tour, we will be stopping to ask you who you think is the Greatest American and why -- and posting the replies here. Here are some more responses from people who attended the Washington D.C. event:

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. because of his tireless works for African-Americans, his humility and his integrity.
Alison W., 17
Pacific Grove, CA

President Clinton because he got the country out of debt.
Miasska D., 45
Washington D.C.

Oprah Winfrey because she was able to break through the glass ceiling despite gender and racial barriers. She has lived the American dream – but has not forgotten her roots as evidenced via her generosity.
Kathryn M., 28
Ames, IA

Abraham Lincoln because there is no one greater.
Leon S., 70 Hamburg, NY

Oprah does a great job. She does a lot for all sorts of people from all walks of life.
Liz R.
Vancouver, WA

americanblog at 1:39:40 PM EDT Permalink | Blog about this entry |  Add to del.icio.us |  digg this This entry has 30 comments: Show Recent | Add your own

Discovery's Greatest American Road Tour stopped by our nation's capital last week to celebrate many of the great Americans that have ties there.

While in DC, we stopped by RFK Stadium on Sunday, June 12 to help welcome America's pastime back to DC! Nationals fans were really excited about the free magnets and buttons and loved to talk to the microphone for a free t-shirt.

We also spent the day Monday, June 13 at Union Station, which welcomes 25 million people a year to the city. Two giant banners also welcomed visitors to Uniont Station all week, letting visitors know about the show and urging people to vote for their Greatest American. Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton and Greatest American Executive Producer Mark Finkelpearl stopped by to welcome the Road Tour to DC. Abraham Lincoln and Oprah Winfrey impersonators joined us as people stopped by the front entrance to vote for their Greatest American. Even a drill team in town did some steps for us in exchange for some t-shirts!

Don't forget to cast your vote for the Greatest American!

americanblog at 2:26:08 PM EDT Permalink | Blog about this entry |  Add to del.icio.us |  digg this This entry has 15 comments: Show Recent | Add your own

As an ongoing part of the Greatest American Road Tour, we will be stopping to ask you who you think is the Greatest American and why -- and posting the replies here. Here are some more responses from people who attended the Washington D.C. event:

Walt Disney because he has the funnest theme park in the world.
Johnathan W.
Silver Springs, MD

Rosa Parks is the all time greatest American. She stood up for something that she believed in. Well, actually she didn’t stand up, she sat down. She helped Martin Luther King top segregation.
Kelli H., 14
Oliver Springs, TN

I am voting for Martin Luther King Jr. because he exemplifies what it means to be an American in every way. He wasn’t a perfect man but he pulled himself up by the bootstraps during a time when discrimination was ramped and changed the course of American politics and thinking while inspiring countless Americans to share in his dream for America. His dream of equality resonates today and is more of reality than ever.
Ben H., 26
Kinderhook, NY

Dorothy Allen. She was my high school teacher and had so much passion for her work and compassion for her students. She inspired many students, that otherwise would not have, to attend college strive to achieve more with their lives.
June N., 28
Union City, CA

Senator John McCain – he has the courage to do what is right.
Kate R.
Washington D.C.

americanblog at 2:06:19 PM EDT Permalink | Blog about this entry |  Add to del.icio.us |  digg this This entry has 32 comments: Show Recent | Add your own

Tune in Sunday Night!

Don't forget to watch Discovery Channel's "GREATEST AMERICAN" Sunday night, June 19 at 9PM Eastern and Pacific.  Watch as Matt Lauer unveils the TOP FIVE candidates!  The third episode pits celebrity advocates against one another, debating the virtues of their "Greatest American."  

 

Click here to cast your vote.

americanblog at 5:23:33 PM EDT Permalink | Blog about this entry |  Add to del.icio.us |  digg this This entry has 36 comments: Show Recent | Add your own

Notes from the Road – Comments from Chicago As an ongoing part of the Greatest American Road Tour, we will be stopping to ask you who you think is the Greatest American and why -- and posting the replies here. Here are some more responses from people who attended the Chicago event:

Harriet Tubman because she freed the slaves -- well, led them to freedom, anyway. One woman did so much for her people. She's great.
Edarra J., 18
Chicago, IL

Who was it that led the fight against the would-be terrorists of his time? Who was elected to our highest office? Who was also the first to see our nation’s greatest resources? T.R., that's who.
P. K., 47
Chicago, IL

Oprah Winfrey is the greatest American because she changed television for black Americans. She's just terrific! I love Oprah.
Sybley L., 38
Chicago, IL

Ben Franklin. His contributions are endless and still somehow continuous.
Linda C., 40
Chicago, IL

Oprah Winfrey because she makes ALL feel special for who they are -- always reaching for higher grounds. A pied piper of leaders, always telling it like it is. Her ratings speak for themselves. Never a dull moment with her because she's every woman and man's idol. May God bless her.
Alonzo P., 45
Chicago, IL

Albert Einstein! Why? It's all relative.
Oren G., 20
Chicago, IL

americanblog at 12:44:43 PM EDT Permalink | Blog about this entry |  Add to del.icio.us |  digg this This entry has 157 comments: Show Recent | Add your own

As an ongoing part of the Greatest American Road Tour, we will be stopping to ask you who you think is the Greatest American and why -- and posting the replies here. Here are some more responses from people who attended the Chicago event:

Michael Jordan, because he was, in my opinion, the best basketball player there ever was. I think that Jordan opened up people's eyes when they saw him play. So yeah, I think he's the greatest because I want to be like Mike.
Jeff B., 15
Bartlett, IL

Michael Jordan's comeback to the NBA -- really awesome basketball player and helps out with the Special Olympics, and he helps out with charitable benefits. If Michael Jordan doesn't come back, the Bulls would be hopeless.
Jianessa, 26
Chicago, IL

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. because if it were not for him, there's no telling what shape this country would have be in.
Aryela J., 26
Chicago, IL

Muhammad Ali is the GREATEST -- he made the way for a lot of boxers.
Tracy B., 42
Chicago, IL

I think Benjamin Franklin is the greatest American. He was one of America's founders and he also helped make many discoveries that we find essential today -- for example, electricity, the fire department and bifocals.
Christopher J., 22
Dolton, IL

Nat Turner! He didn't allow himself to be held in slavery and he fought back!
Mike M., 22
Chicago, IL

americanblog at 3:21:04 PM EDT Permalink | Blog about this entry |  Add to del.icio.us |  digg this This entry has 102 comments: Show Recent | Add your own