My Country 'Tis of Thee

"My Country Tis of Thee" is a 19-minute film made by Warner Brothers as a featurette. Such shorts were made often to accompany main feature films by the various Hollywood studies into the1960s. This one is a condensed history of American settlement with emphasis on the wars in its history. In 1950 the Cold War between the Soviet Union and the West was building and had become quite tense. So, it's understandable that documentaries and docudramas of this type would be made to encourage preparedness and support for national defense.

When talking about the U. S. Constitution and Bill of Rights, the narrator got one thing wrong regarding guarantees of freedom. He says, "Then was added the Bill of Rights - freedom to worship, freedom of speech, of the press, the right of assembly." The first amendment in the Bill of Rights reads, "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech. Or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances."

This prohibits the government from establishing a religion and from interfering with the free exercise of any religion. That is much more than and quite different from a freedom of worship. This is also a common error made by the news media yet well into the 21st century, and by some politicians over the years. Some even refer to this as a separation of church and state; but while it prohibits the government from interfering with any religions, it does not prohibit the religions from involvement in or promoting good government.

The segment about World War II and the D-Day invasion of Normandy included the message that Gen. Eisenhower broadcast to the Allied forces as the operation got underway. The announcer says, "Attention, from Gen. Eisenhower, to all soldiers, sailors and airmen of the United Expeditionary Force;" and then Gen. Eisenhower says, "You are about to embark on a great crusade toward which we have striven these many months. The eyes of the world are upon you. The hopes and prayers of liberty-loving people everywhere march with you. Good luck!"