American Slogans

As a proud American, there are certain parts of our culture that are just a way of life for most people. For example, American slogans have become ingrained in culture in a way that makes them memorable and just a part of life. Here are a few of the most common American slogans and a little bit of history behind them.

1. United We Stand

Stemming from the phrase of United We Stand, Divided We Fall, this shorthand of the phrase was first documented in historical use in our country in 1769 when John Dickinson used it in the Revolutionary War song ""The Liberty Song”. It was later referenced by Patrick Henry in his last public speech two months before he died. The phrase is rather obvious in its meaning and basically means our nation is stronger when we stand together in a fight whether a symbolic or real fight. The slogan regained popularity after the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001 when the nation was under great distress and unity was a core focus of the times.

2. Sweet Land of Liberty

This is one of the most popular American slogans and for good reason. Hailing from the song “My Country, ‘Tis of Thee” from 1831, the line makes reference to the fact that America is a land based on freedom from an oppressive rule as well as the many civil liberties citizens enjoy in our country. The song was written by Samuel Francis Smith and would act as the national anthem until “The Star Bangled Banner” in 1931.

3. Freedom Isn’t Free

While many of the most popular American slogans are rooted in deep history such as the two previously mentioned, there are also slogans which spring up from more modern culture. This slogan was first referenced in a Paul Colwell song, “Freedom Isn’t Free”, in 1965. Since then, it has featured in many songs, movies, and pop culture references. The meaning behind it is that freedom comes at a cost and that cost is the lives of American men and women fighting in war after war to secure our way of life. This saying can be used as a way to show respect for these brave individuals as well as a way to acknowledge the history that has built our nation.

4. Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death

The first slogan on this list not from a song, this one is still rich in American history. Said by Patrick Henry in an impassioned speech he made to the Second Virginia Convention on March 23, 1775, these words are hailed as the inspiration for swaying the vote in Virginia on a resolution to deliver more troops for the Revolutionary War. This would become a major turning point in the battle for freedom and these words would be forever immortalized as a result. Again, the meaning is rather self-explanatory to say that fighting in a war against England to obtain freedom was a cause worth dying for in patriotic duty.