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May 02, 2006

Spanish Language National Anthem Has a Long History

We've all heard by now about the controversy over the National Anthem being sun in Spanish. I'll admit I was a bit perturbed at the thought, being that we are in many ways unified by language in America. The great-great grandson of Francis Scott Key, Charles Key, put it this way:

“I think it's a despicable thing, for someone to come in our society, and change our national anthem.”

Even President Bush chimed in, saying the "Star Spangled Banner" should only be sung in English. That should have been my first clue that perhaps I needed to explore the issue further.

Think Progress points out a most fascinating irony about the President's statement: the National Anthem was sun in Spanish at the President's first inaugural address. Even more interesting is the fact that, as Kevin Phillips wrote in his book American Dynasty, the President frequently sang it in Spanish himself during his first campaign:

When visiting cities like Chicago, Milwaukee, or Philadelphia, in pivotal states, he would drop in at Hispanic festivals and parties, sometimes joining in singing “The Star-Spangled Banner” in Spanish, sometimes partying with a “Viva Bush” mariachi band flown in from Texas.

Additional thanks go to Matt Drudge for linking to two more interesting facts on his Web site:

The United States government itself, back in 1919, commissioned a Spanish language version of National Anthem.

The State Department Web site contains four different versions of the National Anthem in Spanish.

Posted by Becky at May 2, 2006 03:31 PM

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» Get this, y’all… from The Gun Toting Liberal
A few days ago when President Bush told the press: “I think the national anthem ought to be sung in English.”; I could not agree with him more. But now, it turns out the Commander In Chief himself has sung the “Star Spangled Banner... [Read More]

Tracked on May 3, 2006 08:43 AM