Overview

A recent survey shows a problem with our country’s ability to voice its patriotism and national pride. A Harris Interactive® survey of 2,200 American men and women 18 and older shows a shocking lack of knowledge of American historic songs and reveals the role school music programs play in promoting our heritage.

Americans Don't Know The National Anthem As Well As They Think

• Nearly two in three Americans (61%) don’t know all of the words to the Star Spangled Banner
• Of those who claim to know all the words, only 39 percent know what follows “whose broad stripes and bright stars” (answer:“through the perilous fight” )
  • 34 percent answered “were so gallantly streaming”
  • 19 percent answered "gave proof through the night”
    • Interestingly, of those who answered correctly, 58 percent had received at least five years of music in schools growing up

School Music Programs Play Key Part

• More than 70 percent of Americans learned the National Anthem in school music class
  • 5 percent of respondents reported learning it at sporting events
  • 13 percent can’t recall where they learned it

It's More Than Just Music

• More than 40 percent of adults who had at least five years of music describe themselves as volunteers, as compared to only 18 percent of adults who received less than one year of music education
• 55 percent of more seasoned music students describe themselves as active in their communities, while only 39 percent of the less trained describe themselves as engaged in their communities.
• Those with more music in school as children were also more inclined to describe themselves as a leader, creative and “an American”

Tales of American History Are Being Silenced

• More than 70 percent of Americans claim to be patriotic
• But that said, only a little more than half of Americans feel aware of U.S. history (56 percent)

Additional ABC News Poll Shows Issue Particularly Relevant Among Teens

• One in three (38%) don’t know the official name of National Anthem (Star-Spangled Banner)
• Less than 35 percent of American teens can name the author of the National Anthem (Francis Scott Key)
• As few as 15 percent of American youth can sing the words to the anthem from memory