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America has told its story in song for the last 250 years, through the movement of dance, the rhythm of music, the words of lyrics and the voices singing them. The songs below each tell a different part of the story of America’s first 250 years as a nation. Some are patriotic classics you may have learned in grade school. Others might be songs you listened to in high school at a grill-out or while driving around with friends. And some may be songs you turned to during times of turmoil when you needed a reminder of what makes our country great. Take a moment to listen and reflect on what these songs mean to you.

The year '1896' displayed in large, yellow numbers against a brown background.

The Stars and Stripes Forever

by John Philip Sousa

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Bold text displaying the number '1906' on a brown background.

You’re A Grand Old Flag

by George M. Cohan

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The year 1938 displayed in bold yellow letters on a brown background.

God Bless America

by Irving Berlin

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Bold yellow text displaying the year '1940' on a dark brown background.

This Land is Your Land

by Woody Guthrie

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The year 1964 depicted in bold yellow numbers on a brown background.

A Change Is Gonna Come

by Sam Cooke

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Bold yellow text displaying the year '1968' on a brown background.

America

by Simon & Garfunkel

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The year 1971 displayed in bold yellow text against a brown background.

American Pie

by Don McLean

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America the Beautiful

by Ray Charles

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God Bless the U.S.A.

by Lee Greenwood

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Bold yellow text displaying the year '1991' on a brown background.

The Star-Spangled Banner

by Whitney Houston

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Bold yellow text displaying the year '2009' on a brown background.

Party in the U.S.A.

by Miley Cyrus

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Numbers '2012' in bold yellow font on a brown background

American Heart

by Faith Hill

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What other songs do you think help define this country?

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