Is God Bless America a religious song?

"God Bless America" takes the form of a prayer (with introductory lyrics noting that "as we raise our voices, in a solemn prayer") for God's blessing and peace for the nation ("... stand beside her and guide her through the night...").
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Is God Bless America considered a hymn?

“It's not a patriotic song,” composer Irving Berlin said in a 1940 interview, “but an expression of gratitude for what this country has done for its citizens, of what home really means.” Today, many Americans consider “God Bless America” an unofficial national anthem of the United States.
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Why do we sing God Bless America?

Today, “God Bless America” is often used as a symbol of support for war, sung by soldiers in uniform at baseball games and other events. But when Irving Berlin rediscovered his old song in 1938, he had been looking for a “peace song” as a response to the escalating conflict in Europe.
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What was God Bless America written for?

In the fall of 1938, as fascism and war threatened Europe, Irving Berlin decided to write a peace song. He recalled an unpublished version of a song that he had set aside in a trunk, took it out and shaped it into a second national anthem, "God Bless America."
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What is the meaning of God Bless America?

By 'blessing' they mean that God will make the U. S. prosper and prevail. Further, it carries with it a sense of having God sanction whatever we do. I think this goes back to a deep-seated, and still very much alive, sense of Manifest Destiny. That is, that the U. S. was God's chosen nation and an arm of God's will.
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God Bless America Lyrics



Do you put your hand on your heart for God Bless America?

Military personnel are to salute with the first syllable and hold the salute until the end; civilian men are to remove their hats and hold them to the left shoulder with the hand over the heart, or if no hat to put the right hand over the heart.
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Who first said God Bless America?

The phrase “God Bless America” appears in the New York Times for the first time in 1885, uttered by English actor Henry Irving at a speech marking the conclusion of his first tour of the United States: “The last words I say to you, and those words will ever be uttered by me and mine are, God bless America!
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Do you salute during God Bless America?

So what should you do when the national anthem is played? The code states that persons present are expected to stand and face the flag, if there is one. Civilians should stand to attention with right hand over heart, while military personnel in uniform and veterans should salute throughout.
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Who wrote God Bless America and why?

Berlin, born Israel Baline, was 5 years old when his family arrived in the United States, having fled anti-Semitic persecution in Russia. He became a citizen in 1918, the same year he started his military career and wrote “God Bless America.”
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When did presidents start saying God Bless America?

In 1940 "God Bless America" was the official campaign song for both President Franklin Delano Roosevelt and his Republican opponent, Wendell Willkie. At that time, the song represented cultural and religious tolerance.
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Why was the statue of Kate Smith removed?

The Flyers removed the bronze statue of the singer from outside Xfinity Live! in April and stopped playing her version of Irving Berlin's “God Bless America" at the Wells Fargo Center amid controversy over racist song lyrics from the 1930s that the team said did “not reflect [its] values as an organization.”
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What is America's unofficial national anthem?

At Wellesley, "America the Beautiful" is routinely sung during Step Singing, Convocation, and Commencement, and other occasions (and, as called for by informal tradition, student singers bellow SISTERHOOD in place of brotherhood during a key refrain).
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Who wrote God Bless America and White Christmas?

'God Bless America,' 'White Christmas' Among Classics : Enduring Songwriter Irving Berlin Dies. Irving Berlin, who made the word “songwriter” synonymous with his name, died Friday evening in his sleep at his Manhattan home, said Alton Peters, his son-in-law. He was 101.
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Why is God Bless America sung in the 7th inning?

' ” Major League Baseball has encouraged teams to play “God Bless America” ever since a San Diego Padres official came up with the idea to use the song during the seventh-inning stretch to acknowledge 9-11 once games resumed following the terror attacks.
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Is it rude to salute if you're not in the military?

"Civilian personnel, to include civilian guards, are not required to render the hand salute to military personnel or other civilian personnel. "Salutes are not required to be rendered or returned when the senior or subordinate, or both are in civilian attire."
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Is it disrespectful to clap after the National Anthem?

The Flag Code is silent as to conduct after the National Anthem has been sung or played. It is perfectly acceptable and common practice to applaud or cheer upon the completion of the playing or singing of the National Anthem.
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Is it OK for a civilian to salute a veteran?

TLDR – Civilians should face the flag and place their right hand over their heart during the National Anthem. Saluting the flag is a gesture reserved for the military. While civilians can salute soldiers, many veterans consider it inappropriate or awkward.
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Is it mandatory to stand for the US National Anthem?

Is it necessary for a person to stand and salute when the National Anthem is sung? Answer: The Flag Code states that during rendition of the National Anthem, those present should stand and render the proper salute. Rendition includes singing.
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Do you salute America the Beautiful?

Indoors, when honoring the US flag, national anthem, and bugle calls, officers and Soldiers stand at attention and face the music or the flag, if one is present. Other songs worthy of respect and honor include “The Army Song,”“Stars and Stripes Forever,” “America the Beautiful,” and “God Bless America.”
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Does every MLB team play God Bless America?

Yet, the Yankees are the only remaining team in baseball to regularly play “God Bless America” during the seventh-inning stretch of their home games. Even after not one but two disgraced singers had to be removed.
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Why was America the Beautiful not chosen as the national anthem?

It's a beloved melody and was even considered as a candidate for the official anthem before 'The Star-Spangled Banner' was eventually chosen in 1931, but 'America the Beautiful' doesn't officially have legal status as a US national hymn or anthem. That's not for want of people trying.
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