U-S-A!

For other uses, seeUSA (disambiguation).

"U-S-A!"is achantof theUnited States of America's initials popular in expressing American pride and supporting American national sports teams. It is also used in other community events and can frequently be heard at political rallies. The chant has received a mixed reception since its creation, being perceived as both a powerful display of American unity and love of country and as potentiallyjingoisticin equal measure.

Steel plant origin

The first documented usage of a U-S-A chant was in 1918 at aBethlehem Steelplant inLebanon, Pennsylvania.

Sports

The filmOlympia: Festival of Nations,documenting the1936 Summer OlympicsinBerlin,includes the chant during the finals of the 1,500 meter event and the long jump.It was also documented at the1972 Summer OlympicsinMunich,during the basketball tournament final between the United States and the Soviet Union.In 1979, the chant was used inBudapestwhen the national men's teams ofHungaryand theUnited Statesplayed against each other.

The chant was popularized in the context ofice hockey at the 1980 Winter Olympics.During the U.S.' 7–3 win over Czechoslovakia in the second game, the crowd began chanting "U-S-A! U-S-A!" in support of the U.S. hockey team as the Americans scored a decisive win over one of the best teams in the world. The chant became a fixture of the team's remaining games and gained national attention after the U.S. defeated the heavily favoredSoviet Unionprofessionals in what became known as the "Miracle on Ice",later moving on to beatFinlandfor the gold medal.

Professional wrestling

Inprofessional wrestling,"Hacksaw"Jim Dugganwas popularly known for making the cheer during his wrestling matches and inciting the crowd to repeat it after him. The chant has also been used by fans to taunt characters who dislike the U.S., such asCanadianstarBret Hart,who was beloved in the United States but turned his back on the country during an infamous 1997 storyline; theBulgarian-bornRusev,who wasportrayed ashailing from Russia and pledged his allegiance to Russia and its presidentVladimir Putinthroughout 2014–2015, all while bashing the United States alongside his managerLana;and most recently,Kevin Owens,who, ever since capturing theUnited States ChampionshipatWrestleMania 33againstChris Jericho,proclaimed himself as "The Face of America" despite hailing from a small town nearMontreal,and would constantly remind the WWE Universe that Canada is better than the United States. He would also sometimes speak in his nativeFrenchduring his promos in order to draw furtherheelheat.It has also been used to support wrestlers with pro-U.S.gimmicks,likeHulk Hogan,regardless of the nationality of their opponents.

Politics

In May 1969, it was used inPlzeň,Czechoslovakiato commemorate the city's liberation by American and Polish forces at the end ofWorld War II.During the1984 United States presidential election,the chant "U.S.A.!" was heard at numerous campaign rallies for incumbent PresidentRonald Reagan;it was also heard at events throughout his presidency, including a visit toPort Washington, Wisconsin.

Original caption of this photograph read: "Standing upon the ashes of the worst terrorist attack on American soil, Sept. 14, 2001, President Bush pledges that the voices calling for justice from across the country will be heard. Responding to the Presidents' [sic] words, rescue workers cheer and chant, "U.S.A, U.S.A." "

TheSeptember 11 attacksof 2001 found a revival in the chant during patriotic ceremonies at sporting events; the chant was also heard when U.S. PresidentGeorge W. Bushvisited the ruins at theWorld Trade Center sitein the week following the 2001 attacks.Following thethrowing of the first pitchduring the2001 World Series,the crowd chanted "U-S-A", when the pitch was astrike.

Celebratory crowd at Ground Zero following the announcement of thedeath of Osama bin Laden.

Crowds gathered outside of theWhite Houseon May 1, 2011, could be heard chanting "U-S-A!" after PresidentBarack Obamaannounced thatal-Qaedaco-founderOsama bin Laden had been killedby U.S. forces inPakistan.Minutes before the announcement, crowds with plates and U.S flags inNew Yorkhad gathered atTimes SquareandGround Zero(where theTwin Towerswere located) for celebrating the successful operation, chanting "U-S-A!" repeatedly. The cheer was also chanted that Sunday evening at the only MLB baseball game being held while the news was breaking, between thePhiladelphia Philliesand theNew York Mets.At the2011WWE Extreme Rulesevent inTampa, Floridaon the same date, the arena erupted in U-S-A chants as the death of Osama bin Laden was announced by thenWWE Champion,John Cena.

On July 13, 2024, during theattempted assassinationofDonald Trump,rally goers started chanting "U-S-A!" as Trump stood up after being shot in the ear, and began topump his fistwhilst members of theSecret Servicepushed him away.

Other

The "U-S-A" chant has been adopted by English football supporters during matches againstManchester United,who have U.S.ownersunpopular with the club's supporters due to the club being saddled by massive debt. Opposing supporters remind the United supporters of this with the "U-S-A" chant;this was also true ofLiverpool,until theRoyal Bank of Scotlandtakeover. It is also chanted non-sarcastically by British supporters to celebrate achievements of U.S. players such asTim HowardatEvertonandChristian PulisicatChelsea.

The chant, led byWoody Boyd,was used in theCheersepisode "A Fine French Whine" upon hearing the news that a French citizen with eyes on Boyd's girlfriend has overstayed his visa and would soon be deported. It has shown up onThe Jerry Springer Show,where it may spontaneously and without apparent reason follow the show's standard cheer of "Jer-ry, Jer-ry!" and is also often delivered byHomer SimpsononThe Simpsonsas a celebration of almost anything, often accompanied by honking of his car's horn and flashing of its headlights. The chant is also used onIt's Always Sunny in Philadelphiawhen the gang come up with a plan.

See also

• Aussie Aussie Aussie, Oi Oi Oi