The National Anthem

Today, allow me to ask you a question: when was the last time you thought about your National Anthem?

Having witnessed the 1996 Atlanta Olympics, the memories still linger with me.  You and I get to hear the various national anthems each time a winner is announced for bronze, silver, or gold.

The opening Ceremony for the Winter Olympics 2026 in Milano Cortina is no different, with a sense of pride throughout the Olympic village.

I’m sure that while we are watching the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan and Cortina, Italy, there will be at least one event where everyone can agree there were only winners: the Opening Ceremony, which took place this past Friday, on February 6, 2026.

“Held primarily at Milan’s historic San Siro Stadium, the Opening Ceremony is a chance for the host country to show off a bit of local pride while honoring all nations, starting things off with a bang and a moment of unity as the Olympic torch relay culminates in the lighting of the cauldron. Or in this case, for the first time in Olympics history, two cauldrons — one Milan and another in Cortina d’Ampezzo, representing both host cities.”

Events will continue through the closing ceremony on February 22, 2026. The Paralympics will take place the following month, from March 6, 2026, to March 15, 2026.

See the Olympics schedule for the 2026 Milano Cortina Games

We hear various national anthems many times a year, depending on the host country’s location, but they don’t stick in our minds; is it passive because they’re not ours?

I’m not a big sports fan and hardly watch any major championships, including the Super Bowl.

However, early this past week, I came across Pharrell and Voices of Fire in relation to the 2025 World Series.

 

Pharrell, Voices of Fire to perform on-field before World Series Game 1

Little did I know that I would be captivated by the choir singing our National Anthem.

Of course, not to mention yesterday was the Super Bowl with Charlie Puth performing the national anthem. It was another captivating moment.

Charlie Puth sings Super Bowl LX national anthem at Levi’s Stadium | Super Bowl LX

I also enjoyed hearing Coco Jones sing “The Black National Anthem,” Lift Every Voice and Sing, the hymn written as a poem by NAACP leader James Weldon Johnson in 1900.

Coco Jones Sings Lift Every Voice and Sing at Super Bowl: Watch

During the month of February, let’s not forget the Black National Anthem, “Lift Every Voice,” and Black History Month, which is now in its second week.

We have so much to be proud of as Black Americans, despite this country’s current state. As we continue to celebrate Black History Month, the singing of “Lift Every Voice” grows louder each year.

Lift Every Voice and Sing | NAACP

This week, as you take a moment to watch the Winter Olympics, I challenge you to think about all those whose dreams will come true.  Regardless of who stands on the Olympic Podium as they hear their National Anthem being played.

Today, I honor the words of George Foreman and his achievements.

“The Olympic Gold medal in 1968 was definitely the highest moment of my career. It was a dream come true. I was a 19-year-old boy, and it was just amazing to be standing on top of the podium and hearing the National Anthem in the background.” ~ George Foreman

Blog source: https://mckinleysthoughts.com/the-national-anthem/