Patriotic Facts!

The following people have contributed great songs to our nation, do you know more about them than just their songs?

America the Beautiful: Melody written by Samuel A. Ward,  song lyrics written by Katherine Lee Bates

Samuel A. Ward:

~His middle name was Augustus

~Inducted to the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1970

~Although a co-creator with Katherine Bates, he never met her

Katherine Lee Bates:

~Lived to be 70 yrs old!

~Wrote the original version of the song when she was 34

~Made Mrs. Claus popular in her poem Goody Santa Claus

Star Spangled Banner: written by Francis Scott Key

~His poem became the American National Anthem in 1931

~Lived from 1780-1843, 63 yrs

~Had 6 sons & 5 daughters with his wife Mary in Georgetown, D.C.

This Land is Your Land: written by Woody Guthrie

~He experienced & lived through the Great Depression, Great Dust Storm, WW’s I & II, & the Cold War!

~He wrote this patriotic song when he was 44 yrs old

~His full name is Woodrow Wilson Guthrie