Whether played by a marching band, an orchestra, or a rock group, there are patriotic tunes that everyone in America finds familiar, exciting and uplifting. But how much do you know about how these songs were created? And what do you know about the people who wrote them?

There are some surprising facts behind all of this glorious music.

So, fire up the barbecue grill, look up at the fireworks, and strike up the band as we reveal the secrets behind the most influential nationalistic musical moments of all time.

"Star Spangled Banner," Francis Scott Key, 1814.

Schoolchildren in America all learn how Key watched the British bombardment of Fort McHenry during the War of 1812 and so admired the courage of the beleaguered American forces that he wrote four stanzas of "The Star Spangled Banner" (only the first is usually performed). Key based the melody on an English drinking song called "To Anacreon in Heaven." The song has only been the national anthem since 1931, and there was a strong movement to replace it with one of the other songs on this list.

"America (My Country 'Tis of Thee)," Samuel F. Smith, 1832.

The music was composed in the 1700s, sometimes attributed to Henry Cary. First popular in Great Britain as "God Save the King (Queen)," the song became bi-continental in 1832. Modern audiences have been greatly moved by the R&B version by Ray Charles, a truly wonderful blending of emotion with what musicians call "the groove."

"Rally 'Round the Flag," George F. Root, 1862.

Written for the Union army and its supporters during the Civil War, the song was hugely popular in the North. This didn't prevent Confederate troops from writing their own lyrics and singing the song throughout the South.

"When Johnny Comes Marching Home," Louis Lambert, c. 1863.

Lambert was a pseudonym for Union Army Bandmaster Patrick S. Gilmore. His lyrics, set to an old Irish folk song, were popular through the whole Reconstruction Era (1865-1896). It appears in an extended instrumental version on the soundtrack of Stanley Kubrick's film "Dr. Strangelove."

"Battle Hymn of the Republic," Julia W. Howe, 1861.

Howe is another lyricist who succeeded by utilizing a pre-existing piece of music, in this case a camp meeting tune of the 19th century (which also became "John Brown's Body"). The profound power of the words combined with the compelling melody cannot be denied, and it was sung at the funerals of Winston Churchill, Robert Kennedy, and Ronald Reagan.

"Overture: 1812," Petr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, 1880.

Patriotic music doesn’t always revolve around the July 4th celebration, or even refer to the USA. Tchaikovsky got Russian hearts a-pounding with his "1812 Overture in E Flat Major Op. 49," written to celebrate the 70th anniversary of his country's victory battle during the Napoleonic Wars.

"Semper Fidelis," John Philip Sousa, 1889.

Popular ever since it was first performed, the effective and spirited tune takes its name from the U.S. Marine Corps motto meaning "always faithful" and is dedicated to the Marines.

"America the Beautiful," Katharine Lee Bates, 1895, 1904, 1913.

Originally a poem that Bates twice revised after its first publication in 1885, "America the Beautiful" was sung to several different melodies. The song associated with it today is "Materna," composed by Samuel A. Ward in 1882, but it was also often performed to the tune of "Auld Lang Syne."

"Stars and Stripes Forever," John Philip Sousa, 1896.

Composed on Christmas Day, "The Stars and Stripes Forever" has become the country's official march (US Code, Title 36 Chapter 10). Sousa wrote lyrics to the song, but they are little known today (sample: "Let martial note in triumph float / And liberty extend its mighty hand / A flag appears 'mid thunderous cheers, / The banner of the Western land.)"

"Yankee Doodle Boy," George M. Cohan, 1904.

"You're A Grand Old Flag," George M. Cohan, 1906.

"Over There," George M. Cohan, 1917.

Known as "the man who owned Broadway," Cohan was a superstar before the term was coined. While his film biography is called "Yankee Doodle Dandy," the title of his first big tribute to America is actually "The Yankee Doodle Boy." Cohan excited U.S. audiences again in 1906 with "You're a Grand Old Flag," although the original line was "You're a Grand Old Rag." It was America's entrance into World War I in 1917 that inspired Cohan to write "Over There," for which he received a congressional medal.

"God Bless America," Irving Berlin, 1938.

The prolific Berlin (900+ songs despite being unable to read music) originally wrote this song right after the first World War, but did not complete it until just before World War II. Kate Smith first performed it during her radio show on Armistice Day, 1938. An immediate sensation, the song was often suggested to replace the "Star Spangled Banner" as the national anthem.

"Star Spangled Banner," Jimi Hendrix, 1969.

The legendary guitarist took the stage near dawn on the final day of the Woodstock Music and Art Fair. The 13th song in his hour-long set was an incendiary rendition of the venerable tune. In a performance that was somehow savage and grand at the same time, Hendrix wrestled new levels of emotion from the song and generations have never heard it quite the same way again.

"Apocalypse Now," Francis Ford Coppola, 1979.

The music in question is "Ride of the Valkyries," from Richard Wagner's opera, "Die Walkure" (1854-56). The composition fit perfectly into director Coppola's nightmarish vision of the Vietnam War. The sequence, featuring a helicopter attack at dawn, never fails to raise the emotions of viewers.

Scott G owns G-Man Marketing (http://www.gmanmarketing.com) where he makes radio commercials and creates advertising in all media. He is also recording artist The G-Man, with albums on iTunes and Rhapsody via Delvian Records.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Scott_G

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Free Patriotic Needlepoint
By Angela Hamm

You don't have to spend a lot of money when you learn how to needlepoint. Look for free patriotic needlepoint patterns online, use some of your leftover yarn or floss from your craft stash, and create patriotic needlepoint designs that will add spice and spirit to your homes decor all year long. Needlepoint is easy to learn, there is just one basic stitch to master in many designs, and your finished product can be anything from elegant to whimsical and beyond.

Free patriotic needlepoint can inspire others, too. Think about creating patriotic needlepoint bookmarks or pins, and send them to a service man or woman overseas to help make their day a little brighter. Or, give them as gifts to your friends and family. Even better, create some extra to donate to your local nursing home or assisted living facility. Think how such a small item can make a big difference in a persons life, and you'll start creating more and more needlepoint gifts to give to hospitals, service organizations, veterans groups, and more.

Some other ideas for free patriotic needlepoint patterns include:

• Dog and cat collars. Show your patriotic spirit with a patriotic dog collar for your favorite pooch!

• Place mats and table decorations. Find a free patriotic needlepoint design that fits your
tabletop, and create custom place mats for Labor Day, July 4th, Memorial Day, and all through the year.

• Pins and jewelry. Create patriotic jewelry for your friends and family to show their love of their country.

• Pictures and wall hangings. Create beautiful designs from free patriotic needlepoint patterns for your home. Patriotic designs are very popular home décor items, and you can create your own quickly and easily.

• Welcome signs. Welcome everyone to your home with a cheery patriotic needlepoint design on your front door or front porch.

• Garden signs and decorations. If you use plastic canvas and plastic raffia or twine, you can create outdoor patriotic needlepoint garden signs. Who says your garden can't be patriotic too?

• Use your imagination. Just about any free patriotic needlepoint design can turn into the inspiration for a new project. Create these designs on regular or plastic canvas, in true red, white, and blue spirit, and you can decorate your house, your yard, and give great gifts to your friends, all with very little cash. You might even try selling your designs to raise a little cash, too.

What other materials will you need when you use your free patriotic needlepoint patterns? You'll need:

• Needlepoint canvas (either fabric or plastic).

• A tapestry needle (the right size to fit through your canvas and hold your yarn).

• Yarn, embroidery floss, or twine (to stitch with).

It's not hard to get started in needlepoint, and free patriotic needlepoint designs are a great way to get started. Because they only use three basic colors, you don't have to invest a lot of money to get started. Once you start creating patriotic needlepoint, you just may find you're addicted to this hobby. It's easy, fun, and you can create your own patriotic designs once you get the hang of it.

Angela Hamm is an accomplished niche website developer and author. To learn more about free patriotic needlepoint, please visit Needlepoint Hobbyist for current articles and discussions.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Angela_Hamm

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