Why is the National Anthem Played at Sporting Events?
The national anthem is an instantly recognisable moment at any sporting event, serving as both an emblematic representation of America and an expression of national pride for many Americans. But why exactly do we sing it prior to sporting events? Since 1918, when it first made its debut during a World Series matchup between Boston Red Sox and Chicago Cubs, an anthem has been played before baseball games. Since its introduction, its popularity has only grown further, fueled by sound systems which allowed live recordings to be played at sports arenas and patriotic sentiment as the U.S. prepared to enter…