In the early years of the 20th century, the American military was a popular institution. Young men signed up in droves to fight the two World Wars, and were earnestly supported by the country. With the advent of 1960s counter-culture, a large group of college-age Americans was dead-set against Eisenhowers military-industrial complex, which meant the men and women wearing their countrys uniform were tarred with the same brush. The draft and an unpopular war in Vietnam exacerbated this hatred. After the draft was discontinued, the American military services went to an all-volunteer force and began to polish up their professional image, helped along by the Reagan military build-up. By the time of the first Gulf War, support for the military was back up to WWII levels. Today, it remains a strong point of pride with most Americans.
7. The Star Spangled Banner
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N_lCmBvYMRs Francis Scott Key was inspired to write the poem Defence of Fort MHenry after watching the British navy attack at night, but seeing the American flag still flying over the fort at dawn. Renamed as The Star Spangled Banner, the song version was set to the tune of The Anacreontic Song, a popular British drinking anthem. It was eventually named as the U.S. national anthem after a 1929 Ripleys Believe It or Not cartoon proclaimed that America had no national anthem. The thing about it is, its an incredibly difficult song to sing. Few people have the vocal range to do it justice, which is why it is usually pre-recorded and lip-synched, or performed instrumentally. A few performances have been noteworthy, such as Whitney Houstons rendition before the Super Bowl in 1991. On the other end is Rosanne Barrs butchering of the song before a San Diego Padres game in 1990. Most Americans do not know the words to the song, which is why they are displayed on the Jumbotrons while the song is playing.
