Fifty days after the tragic events of September 11, 2001, America was still mourning — searching for hope and unity in the face of unimaginable loss. On October 31, at Yankee Stadium, country music legend Lee Greenwood delivered a moment that would help heal hearts across the nation.
Wearing a bold patriotic jacket, Greenwood took the field before Game 4 of the World Series between the Yankees and the Diamondbacks. With millions watching from home and thousands in the stands just miles from Ground Zero, he performed his iconic hit “God Bless the USA.” As his voice rang out, a wave of emotion swept over the stadium. Fans wiped away tears, and for a few minutes, the country stood together in shared grief and pride.
The Story Behind the Song That Became America’s Anthem
Greenwood wrote “God Bless the USA” back in 1983 while traveling between Arkansas and Texas on his tour bus. At the time, he was on the road nearly 300 days a year alongside country stars like George Strait, Reba McEntire, The Oak Ridge Boys, and Barbara Mandrell.
“I had always dreamed of writing a song that showed how proud I was to be an American,” Greenwood later shared. “It was something I believed in deeply — my love for this country — and I wanted people to feel that.”
Originally intended as just an album track on his 1984 release You’ve Got a Good Love Comin’, the song quickly took on a life of its own. It climbed to No. 7 on the Billboard chart and became a centerpiece of patriotic events, including the 1984 Republican National Convention attended by Ronald and Nancy Reagan.
But after the 9/11 attacks, “God Bless the USA” became much more than a hit single — it became a national anthem of resilience and unity. The song surged again on the charts, reaching No. 16 on the Billboard Hot 100, and has since been certified 2x Platinum in the U.S.
An Unforgettable Moment of Patriotism
Greenwood’s World Series performance captured the spirit of the moment — a nation grieving, but unbroken. His powerful delivery reminded Americans of the strength found in unity and the pride of standing together during the darkest times.
To this day, “God Bless the USA” continues to inspire at holiday celebrations, political events, sporting arenas, and beyond.
👉 Relive that unforgettable performance — watch Lee Greenwood move Yankee Stadium and millions more to tears below!
