This is part and parcel a result of what goes on in our schools. People of a certain age know the words to the Star Spangled Banner, younger people don’t. It is not written in swahili. There is no reason people can’t be taught to sing that song, or at least mouth the words.
Goes back to education in this country. Regardless of the subject. Our schools have become indoctrination.
The older generations today can sing the national anthem because when they were young and they went to an event, the announcer said, "Please stand and join in the singing of our National Anthem." For the past twenty years the announcer has said, "Please stand as (insert name of performer here) performs our National Anthem." Where do young people get the opportunity to sing the National Anthem anymore? They don't because it is always being performed.
The practice should change where the performance is of something like America the Beautiful and then everyone joins in the singing of the anthem. Young people would learn the words again.
A few days ago, flipping through channels, I got the Ellen Degeneres show. She does some games with audience members. One, a young latina, was asked to name the 13 original colonies....she says, N.J.....New York....CANADA....
CANADA! I was a bit surprised she didn’t say Mexico.