To mark America's Semiquincentennial, TIME asked 25 experts to share a song that captures the essence of American life today.

In this 250th anniversary year of the United States, pianist Lara Downes is traveling the country collecting conversations with scholars, searching for our history through songs. Her first stop is a ...

Americans celebrate Independence Day in many ways -- with fireworks, parades and barbecues. And from sea to shining sea, music has defined how Americans see themselves -- and their country. Many ...