SUNDAY, July 4, 2:30pm

Catholic Destinations

CATHOLICTV CatholicTV’s Kevin Nelson explores cathedrals, shrines and other Catholic sites in the U.S., Canada and Europe.

SUNDAY, July 4, 8pm

A Capitol Fourth

PBS “I am well aware of the Toil and Blood and Treasure that it will cost Us to maintain this Declaration and support and defend these States,” wrote John Adams about the Declaration of Independence. On America’s 234th birthday, this 90-minute telecast from the South Lawn of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., features the National Symphony Orchestra and guest singers and musicians. Re-airs at 9:30pm.

SUNDAY, July 4, 8pm

Extreme Makeover: Home Edition

ABC Damage from Hurricane Katrina triggered lasting problems in the Hattiesburg, Miss., home of Army National Guard combat leader and sheriff’s deputy Sherman Heathcock, his wife, Gina, and their three children, so the team and builders and volunteers construct a new home for them. Advisory: TV-PG. A re-airing.

MONDAYS, July 5 and 12, 9pm

History Detectives

PBS July 5’s episode studies a film clip possibly from an early talkie, California Gold Rush sketches of supposed giant nuggets, and an apparent section of the first trans-Atlantic cable. July 12’s topics are matching pieces of a vandalized statue of Andrew Jackson, a letter from American Red Cross founder Clara Barton, and a notebook that might have belonged to a World War I spy.

SUNDAY, July 11, 2am

Let Me Walk This Path: The Faith and Martyrdom in Japan

EWTN Re-airing at 1pm Wednesday and 2pm Saturday, this first episode of a four-part documentary by Yoshie Lewis explains Japan’s class structure and religions in 1549 and the fruits of St. Francis Xavier’s arrival. The remaining episodes will appear at 2am July 18 and 25 and Aug. 1, and will re-air Wednesdays and Saturdays as above.

SUNDAY, July 11, 8pm

Easter Island Eclipse

NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC CHANNEL This documentary will preview the moon’s total blockage of the sun’s light in the South Pacific today and show the event “near live.”

WEDNESDAY, July 14, 10pm

Chasing Mummies

HISTORY This series premiere follows Egyptologist Zahi Hawass and his crew of archaeologists as they probe the Step Pyramid, Egypt’s oldest. Re-airs 10pm Saturday.

WEDNESDAY, July 14, 8pm

Breakfast Special

PBS Rick Sebak samples American breakfasts from Hawaii to Ohio to Florida.

Dan Engler writes from
Santa Barbara, California.