America the Beautiful

"America the Beautiful" is a patriotic poem written by Katharine Lee Bates to celebrate the beauty of the United States. Originally titled "Pikes Peak", it was first published in 1895 in a church periodical called The Congregationalist. The poem was later renamed "America" and set to music, becoming a beloved anthem for the country. In honor of the United States' 246th birthday, LibriVox volunteers have recorded 12 versions of the poem for the Weekly Poetry project. The poem is a tribute to the natural beauty of America and the values of freedom and democracy that the country represents."