On May 25, 1986, over 5 million people attempt to join hands in a continuous chain across the U.S., from L.A. to NYC. A few hundred thousand people shy of the full number needed, participants use ribbons and ropes to fill gaps, especially in sparsely populated areas. The people in the chain all sing along with nationwide radio broadcasts of the songs, "We Are the World", "Hands Across America," and "America the Beautiful." Sponsored and marketed by large corporations and endorsed by celebrities, the event raises $15 million in donations for anti-poverty and hunger charities.