Irving 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 God in the title. Berlin reportedly wrote it for his Army-financed review Yip Yip Yaphank 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 Armistice Day, November 11, 1938, by revered singer Kate Smith 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 This Is the Army, starring George Murphy and future President Ronald Reagan. 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 Boy Scouts of America and the Girl Scouts of America. 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 Take Me Out to the Ball Game 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!
