{"product_id":"god-bless-america","title":"God Bless America","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIrving Berlin was no stranger to patriotic tunes and had written some with references to the military in the past, having been in the American Army during World War One. This, however, was a departure. Not only did the song have religious connotations (based on what our country was founded on), but it had \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cb\u003eGod\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan\u003e in the title. Berlin reportedly wrote it for his Army-financed review \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003eYip Yip Yaphank\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan\u003e in 1918 but withheld the tune from publication or public performance at that time due to its somewhat solemn tone. It was finally introduced to the nation via the radio on the 17th anniversary of the American \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cb\u003eArmistice Day\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, November 11, 1938, by revered singer \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cb\u003eKate Smith\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan\u003e and published the following year. Since then, it has easily become the most performed \"unofficial\" National Anthem, just a little behind the \"real\" one in performance frequency. It was also featured by Ms. Smith in the 1943 film \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003eThis Is the Army\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, starring \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cb\u003eGeorge Murphy\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan\u003e and future President \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cb\u003eRonald Reagan\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan\u003e. The recording became a million seller almost immediately. In a very generous gesture by the composer\/publisher, all proceeds from this tune have since been split evenly between the \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cb\u003eBoy Scouts of America\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan\u003e and the \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cb\u003eGirl Scouts of America\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan\u003e. In response to tragic events of September 11, 2001, in the United States, members of Congress chose to sing this number in place of the national anthem while on the steps of the Capitol. And for a time, it replaced \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003eTake Me Out to the Ball Game\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan\u003e during countless seventh inning stretches. What an endorsement! If ever you should run into any detractors concerning this song's status in our nation, note that the Constitution mentions God (making it unconstitutional!), and then...   wait for it...  Show Them the Money! God Bless America!\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Books Art and Music","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":51983670608157,"sku":null,"price":1.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0871\/1176\/2205\/files\/bless1.jpg?v=1783205969","url":"https:\/\/booksartandmusic.com\/products\/god-bless-america","provider":"Books Art and Music","version":"1.0","type":"link"}