Michael Kammen's entire academic career has been dedicated to the study of our collective memory. Here are some fun facts from his masterful
Mystic Chords of Memory: The Transformation of Tradition in American Culture (1991):
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| Front cover |
- A non-exhaustive list of names that were at some point contemplated for the nation includes Columbia, the United States of Allegheny, Appalachia, the Republic of Washington, Fredonia, and Cabot (with its citizens, consequently, being called Cabotians) (p 181)
- From the annals of unintended consequences: "the introduction of rural free [mail] delivery caused the decline of the local post office as a socially significant gathering place." (p 286)
- During World War II, "President Roosevelt asked Congress for an immense appropriation in order to construct a vast new military headquarters: the Pentagon. When Congress balked because it could not imagine that Defense would need the world's largest office building once the war ended FDR pledged to use the massive facility as a national archive following the war." (p 571)
- "The Star-Spangled Banner" had to overcome a host of objections before it was finally adopted as our national anthem in 1931: (p 459)
- Its melody had originated as a drinking song (Don't believe it? Watch this!!!)
- It expressed feelings hostile to Great Britain
- Its lyrics glorified martial rather than peaceful sentiments
- Its melodic range, especially the high notes, made it difficult to sing
- A general sense that the song seemed antiquated or out of date
- Martin Luther King and American memory. "There seems to be an American penchant for depoliticizing the past in order to achieve at least the illusion of consensus. ... The non-violent Christian integrationist leader of 1956-64 is remembered rather than the more acerbic anti-poverty activist and strident opponent of the Vietnam War, 1965-68." (p 662)
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| The MLK we choose to remember |
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| The MLK we choose to forget |
