"Yankee Doodle" was supposed to be an insult...

...and now it's Connecticut's official state song. "The Star Spangled Banner" is sung to the tune of an old drinking song. "God Bless America" was originally written for (and rejected for) a comedy show.

Just some interesting stuff about various patriotic songs. Here's the link.

Huh. "The Battle Hymn of the Republic" is the "unofficial anthem of the Republican Party?" The libertarians aren't going to like that.

MORE: a Fourth of July quiz, and a list of other countries' independence days.