Therefore, we in the U.S. must first tip our red, white and star-spangled-blue top hats to our grand neighbors to the north - Canada. Many cities along the mammoth border have joint celebrations such as the International Freedom Festival, in Detroit, Michigan, and Windsor, Ontario, in honor of the Canadian Dominion Day on July 1, and our own Independence Day which follows on July 4. Ten days later, it is France's turn, with Bastille Day.
O Canada, is of course, the anthem of our neighbour, who is nearly 100 years younger than we are. However, even their newest province (newest to have its own name, that is, as the other one hasn't progressed quite that far, last I heard) Tlingit, has its own anthem. Carved out of the upper regions of the sweeping country, the new country is one of the first to comprise primarily indigenous peoples, including government on all levels.
O Canada has another distinction: it was written by a native to the country - Calixa Lavallée. A surprising number of anthems have music adapted from or written by a non-native. Although known as "Canada's national musician," Lavallée apparently didn't consider it a major accomplishment. His official obituary makes no mention of the anthem. It was first performed in 1880, in Quebec City, set to words from a poem (in French) by Judge Adolphe-Basile Routhier. The official English translation was done by another judicial writer - Justice Robert Stanley Weir. Although the French lyrics remain as written, the English version was changed slightly in 1968, at the recommendation of a Parliamentary committee.
A newer - unofficial - offering is Our Great Canadian Flag. A tribute inspired by Prime Minister Chretien in 1996, it may be read about, or heard, if your computer has the capability.
The United States has an official anthem - The Star-Spangled Banner - and several that might almost be considered unofficial. Among these latter are "America, the Beautiful," "God Bless America," "The Battle Hymn of the Republic," "Stars and Stripes Forever" and, everyone's popular outdoor favorite - The 1812 Overture by Tchaikovsky. A newcomer to the scene (unheard or unread by this writer) is A Party for the U. S. A..
