Chapter Two

AMERICA THE BEAUTIFUL

from sea to shining sea 

image from pinterest

Katherine Lee Bates was born in 1859. Her father, a minister, died shortly after her birth leaving her mother to struggle to provide for the family. 

Although money was scarce, education was a top priority and Katherine attended Wellesley College, the only college at that time that allowed women. She would eventually become an English professor there.

One summer, 33 year old Katherine traveled across the country by train heading to Colorado to teach summer school. She was smitten with the beauty of the land and the cities along the way. 

In her poem she eludes to the World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago... the "White City" with alabaster buildings, the wheat fields in America's heartland (Kansas) and the majestic view of the plains from the top of Pike's Peak.

In her own words she recalls the ascent to Pike's Peak...
  

image from pinterest

"We hired a prairie wagon. Near the top we had to leave the wagon and go the rest of the way on mules. I was very tired. But when I saw the view, I felt great joy. All the wonder of America seemed displayed there, with the sea-like expanse."

While standing upon the peak the words of the now familiar song started to come to her. Returning to her room in the Antlers Hotel she finished her poem. It was published two years later in 1904 and immediately became a favorite across the country.

The coast of Maine (image from pinterest)

 

Bates received $5 for the initial publication of her poem, She maintained the rights to control any adaptations but she gave up all the royalties. 

A year before after her death, Samuel A. Ward, a church organist, composed the music that would be joined with her lyrics.

image from pinterest

Many thought it should become our national anthem. Although President Herbert Hoover passed it over in favor of the Star Spangled Banner, it remains a favorite for millions of Americans... a song that clearly rings true to how we feel about our country! 

Katherine Lee Bates... a truly remarkable woman who blessed all of our lives! 

Here are some little known facts about our 4th of July history...

1. The Second Continental Congress made a decree for freedom on July 2nd. It was adopted two days later, July 4, 1776

2. The decree became official on August 2, 1776 when most of the delegates signed it.

3. In 1776 there were only 2.5 million people in the colonies. Today there are 316.2 million Americans.

4. Presidents John Adams, Thomas Jefferson and James Monroe all died on the 4th of July. Adams and Jefferson died on the same day in 1826

5. The 4th of July became a federal holiday in 1870

6. The colors red, white and blue have specific meanings... red is valor, white is purity and blue is justice.