About This Quiz
Every country has a short list of patriotic songs that citizens know by heart. We all know (and mangle) the national anthem. But how much do you really know about America's catalog of patriotic songs?In 1931, "The Star-Spangled Banner" was officially named America's national anthem. Since then, it has been sung (often poorly) at countless public events.
Before the Revolution, the British rolled their eyes at colonial soldiers and mocked them with "Yankee Doodle." Once the "Yankees" sharpened their bayonets and ignited the Revolution, the British didn't think the song was funny anymore.
In 1918, as World War I raged in Europe, Irving Berlin wrote a song called "God Bless America." The first line of the chorus is,"God bless America, land that I love."
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" America the Beautiful" begins with the timeless line, "O beautiful, for spacious skies." But in the poem that inspired the song, the original line was actually, "O beautiful for halcyon skies."
During the War of 1812, the British bombarded Fort McHenry in Baltimore Harbor, and lawyer Francis Scott Key wrote a poem about the fort's successful defense. His poem later became "The Star-Spangled Banner."
You bet, you can still see the battered but glorious flag that inspired "The Star-Spangled Banner." It's on display at the National Museum of American History in Washington, D.C.
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It's one of the most famous marches in American history. Written by John Philip Sousa, "The Stars and Stripes Forever" is one of the most patriotic U.S. songs ever.
When the VP hits the stage, it's "Hail, Columbia" that's blaring from the loudspeakers. The song was one of several de facto national anthems in America's history.
In the past century, numerous groups have attempted to have "America the Beautiful" replace (or match) "The Star-Spangled Banner" as the country's anthem, for varied reasons. One big reason: it's way, way easier to sing.
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"When Johnny Comes Marching Home" is a hopeful tune from the Civil War era, yearning for the day when long-lost soldiers finally returned to their homes and families.
"The Battle Hymn of the Republic" was written in 1861, as the Civil War sparked conflict around the country. It's also sometimes called "Mine Eyes Have Seen the Glory," particularly in other countries.
When the president arrives at public events, his handlers make sure someone is playing "Hail to the Chief," the official presidential anthem. At especially special events, they bring in the U.S. Marine Band to play the ditty.
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In 1966, during the awfulness of the Vietnam War, the "Ballad of the Green Berets" celebrated the bravery and sacrifice of America's elite troops. It was written by a man named Barry Sadler, who was training to become a medic in the special forces.
"We Shall Overcome" is as patriotic as an American song can be. It's a song about struggling against oppression and finding hope in the darkest of days. It was particularly popular during the civil rights era.
Samuel Francis Smith may have written the lyrics to "My Country, 'Tis of Thee," but he's not getting any bonus points for the melody. He simply used the melody from "God Save the Queen."
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"Hail to the Chief" waxes poetic about the nation's elected commander in chief. "Hail to the Chief we have chosen for the nation, Hail to the Chief! We salute him, one and all."
Founding father John Dickinson wrote "The Liberty Song" as a celebration of the colonies … and as a way to refute British control of their lives.
You can see why "The Battle Hymn of the Republic" was so popular during the Civil War, when the country's life was at stake. The rousing "glory, glory, hallelujah" chorus undoubtedly caused many patriotic folks to shed a tear or two.
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There were several songs that were de facto national anthems before Congress finally made "The Star-Spangled Banner" official in 1931. "My Country 'Tis of Thee" was one of them. I guess no one cared that it used the same melody as "God Save the Queen" or perhaps Americans enjoyed the irony.
Speaking of de facto national anthems, Lee Greenwood's "God Bless the USA" (from 1984) might as well be the country's official tune. It's blasted at nearly every patriotic event, from baseball games to political rallies.
After the attack on Pearl Harbor, a story about American courage made the rounds. One soldier supposedly said, "praise the Lord and pass the ammunition," and it became the title of a popular song.
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In 1969, Johnny Horton popularized "The Battle of New Orleans," which recounts a solider's experience during the fight. It was a huge song about the War of 1812 that became a No. 1 hit.
You know the words, sing it with me! "Home, home on the range, where the deer and the antelope play." It's also the state song of Kansas.
"You're a grand old flag, you're a high-flying flag, and forever in peace may you wave." "You're a Grand Old Flag" was written in 1906 for a musical called "George Washington, Jr."
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"Taps" is one of the most solemn songs in the catalog of American tunes. The few bugle notes are always played to mark the passing of veterans.
The "Marines' Hymn" is the official hymn of the Marine Corps. It was officially adopted in 1929. It begins, "From the halls of Montezuma to the shores of Tripoli…"
Guthrie got sick of hearing the popular song "God Bless America" and it's sappy sentiments. He wrote "This Land is Your Land" as a testament that not everything was perfect in America.
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During the Civil War, "Dixie" was the de facto national anthem of the Confederacy. It's a wistful song about the greatness of the South. "Look away, look away, look away Dixie Land."
Greenwood's iconic "God Bless the USA" was so popular that he created a (nearly identical) version called "God Bless You Canada." No, we're not kidding … it's on YouTube.
When John Philip Sousa wrote the march "The Stars and Stripes Forever," he did create lyrics, too. But most people know only the melody, not the words.
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