The United States was founded on the idea of being unafraid to fight for personal liberty and the freedom of others. Many of our greatest patriotic songs were written during military conflicts. The words to our national anthem, “The Star-Spangled Banner,” were inspired by the hope that the flag would keep flying during the War of 1812. In the days leading up to World War II, another patriotic anthem—most commonly heard before sporting events—had its debut.
Americans first heard Kate Smith sing “God Bless America” on an Armistice Day radio broadcast in 1938. Irving Berlin had written the words and music 20 years earlier. As war in Europe was brewing, he retooled it as an anthem for peace.
