It is the consequence of conscious choices made throughout our history, and should not be taken for granted.

Everyone knows the song.

It’s a warm summer night, the top of the seventh inning has just concluded, and the organ begins to ring throughout the stadium. It’s time to whip out the singing voice for one of America’s most iconic tunes — "Take Me Out to the Ball Game."

At a time when baseball fandom was overwhelmingly male-dominated, the character of Katie stands out as an unusual creation for the era.

Yet few baseball fans, let alone Americans at large, know the true history behind the 118-year-old symbol of our country’s pastime.

To get to the beginning, we must travel back to the time of President Theodore Roosevelt. The year is 1908: The Ford Model T makes its debut in the automobile market; New York City drops the very first New Year’s Eve ball in Times Square; and the Grand Canyon is declared a national monument.

The story goes that Jack Norworth was riding a New York subway train when he was inspired by a sign he saw that read, “Baseball Today — Polo Grounds.” Norworth quickly developed the lyrics to the song, with Albert Von Tilzer composing the music.

The irony? According to reports, neither of these men had ever been to a baseball game. Norworth did not attend a game until 32 years later in 1940.

Norworth and his then-wife Nora Bayes would go on to debut the tune during a vaudeville act at the Amphion Theater in Brooklyn. The song was quickly recorded by multiple different groups, with both the Edward Meeker and the Haydn Quartet versions finding mass success.

Although only the chorus is sung at baseball games today, the original song contains multiple verses that tell the story of Katie Casey (later changed to Nelly Kelly by Norworth) — a “baseball mad” fanatic who would rather have her boyfriend take her to the ballgame than to the theater.

At a time when women did not even have the right to vote, let alone the fact that baseball fandom was overwhelmingly male-dominated, the character of Katie stands out as an unusual creation for the era.

The earliest documented instance of "Take Me Out to the Ball Game" being played at a baseball game was during a Los Angeles high school game in 1934. The song made its Major League debut later that year during Game 4 of the 1934 World Series.

Stadium bands began regularly performing the tune during games in the mid-20th century. However, the way baseball fans engage with the song today — singing it during the seventh-inning stretch — was popularized by Chicago White Sox announcer Harry Caray in the 1970s. Caray later brought the tradition to the Chicago Cubs when he became their announcer in 1982.

In 2001, "Take Me Out to the Ball Game" was ranked #8 on the "Songs of the Century" list, and later in 2010, Edward Meeker's recording was inducted into the Library of Congress' National Recording Registry.

So next time you find yourself indulging in America's pastime, remember to buy some "peanuts and Cracker Jack" so that you can "root, root, root for the home team" — but never forget: "For it's one, two, three strikes, you're out, at the old ball game."

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German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on Thursday unveiled a sweeping pensions, tax, and labor reform package aiming to revive Europe’s former economic powerhouse and get the country "back on its feet."

The post Friedrich Merz Unveils Sweeping Reform Push for Stagnant German Economy appeared first on Breitbart.

Folarin Balogun's red card resulted from VAR protocol violations, says an expert referee, with similar tackles going unpunished throughout the World Cup.

A Los Angeles-area man pleaded guilty Thursday to felony harassment charges for sending fake ransom notes while posing as a kidnapper of Today show co-host Savannah ‌Guthrie's missing mother.

The post California Man Pleads Guilty to Sending Fake Nancy Guthrie Ransom Note appeared first on Breitbart.

Communio's "Great American Family Fun Kit" offers July 4 activities, such as scavenger hunts and gratitude jars, aimed at helping families reconnect and teach patriotism.

James Carville says his famous 1992 catchphrase "It's the economy, stupid" now haunts him because of what he calls Trump's corruption today.

MMA fighter Dustin Lampros, known as 561 Predator Catcher, has completed about 100 catches of alleged child predators since 2022 in Florida.

Rep. Susie Lee, D-Nev., who is up for re-election in a crucial swing-district, said she wanted to “beat the s--- out of" Pete Hegseth after touting bipartisanship during an address to Nevadans.

Donald Trump returns to Mount Rushmore for Fourth of July fireworks before heading to the Salute to America event on the National Mall Saturday.

Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce's rumored wedding day arrives after their love story began with an "Eras Tour" shoutout on the "New Heights" podcast in 2023.

Massachusetts women pays her own way to the Great American State Fair after Gov. Maura Healey and other Democratic governors boycott Freedom 250 event.

A food scientist shares why Halo Top dominates Google searches during National Ice Cream Month, calling it "indulgence without the consequences."

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Every Fourth of July, I think about the country where I was born — a nation built on faith, courage, and the belief that every person is created in the image of God.

Independence Day is about fireworks, parades, and time with family. But it is also a reminder of the miracle of America and the values that have shaped this nation for 250 years.

From Jerusalem to every corner of the United States, may this Independence Day be a celebration of gratitude, unity, and hope.

As an American-Israeli, this holiday carries special meaning for me.

I grew up in the United States, where freedom is woven into daily life. Today, I raise my children in Israel, a country whose very existence is a miracle of biblical proportions. Each year on July 4, I am reminded how blessed I am to belong to two nations rooted in faith, resilience, and hope.

America and Israel are different in many ways, but their foundations are strikingly similar.

Both nations were built by people who believed in something greater than themselves. They trusted God, longed for freedom, and sacrificed for a better future.

America’s founders risked everything to establish a nation where liberty could flourish. Israel’s founders rebuilt a homeland after 2,000 years of exile, guided by ancient promises and unshakable faith.

Both nations understand that freedom is never guaranteed. It must be protected, nurtured, and passed to the next generation.

And both nations know that a country’s greatest strength lies not in its power, but in its values.

On Independence Day, I often think about the men and women who have served in the U.S. military — those who fought in World War II to defeat evil, those who stood against tyranny in the decades that followed, and those who continue to defend freedom around the world.

As a Jewish woman, I will never forget that American soldiers helped liberate the concentration camps. They brought hope to a world drowning in darkness. They saved lives — not only the lives of Jews in Europe, but the lives of my own family members.

Both my grandfather and my father-in-law survived the Holocaust, thanks in no small part to the sacrifice of American service members. Their courage is part of the reason the Jewish people are alive today.

As an Israeli, I see that same spirit of courage in the young men and women who serve in the Israel Defense Forces.

America and Israel both understand the cost of freedom. Both nations honor those who protect it. And both nations know that not every hero comes home.

Living as both an American and an Israeli has taught me that miracles are not only ancient. They are happening right now.

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Erik McGregor/LightRocket/Getty Images

America is a miracle: a nation founded on biblical values, where people of every background can pursue their God-given purpose.

Israel is a miracle: a nation reborn from ashes, thriving against all odds, and standing as a beacon of hope in a troubled region.

To belong to both is a privilege I thank God for every day.

As America approaches its 250th anniversary, this Independence Day feels especially meaningful. It is a moment to reflect on the values that built this nation — faith, freedom, courage, unity — and to rededicate ourselves to living them.

These are the same values that sustain Israel. The same values that bind Christians and Jews together. The same values that light the way forward in uncertain times.

This Fourth of July, my prayer is simple:

May God bless America with peace and protection. May He strengthen the families who build this nation every day. May He guide its leaders with wisdom and humility. And may He remind all of us that freedom is both a gift and a responsibility.

From Jerusalem to every corner of the United States, may this Independence Day be a celebration of gratitude, unity, and hope.

Happy Fourth, America.

A Maine couple used their pickup truck to chase off a bear pursuing a moose calf during a fishing trip, and photos capture the dramatic wildlife encounter.

A Florida family was completely devastated by the tragedy that unfolded on Monday after a father went to pick up a child at day care in Plantation.

The man, who was not identified publicly, believed he had dropped off the child in the morning and went to work. At the end of the day, he went to the day care and let out a scream after finding his horrific mistake.

'He opened the door, then slammed it shut. ... And he let out this scream.'

The child was found dead in the back seat of the car.

Leslie Novoa, the owner and director of A World of Discovery Academy, explained to the South Florida Sun Sentinel why the staff didn't react when the child wasn't dropped off that morning.

Novoa said the man and his wife would alternate dropping off two kids at the day care. On that day, they called to inform them that they would not be dropping off the older child.

When they didn't drop off any child, Novoa said no one found it suspect.

"This is a tragedy that happened to them and to all of us," said Novoa, who said the family had been very caring and very loving in their interactions.

Novoa said the man had expected to pick up the child and only realized what happened when he opened the back door of the car.

"He opened the door, then slammed it shut," Novoa said. "And he let out this scream."

Plantation Police said they were called to the day care on a report of "a deceased child in a vehicle."

Firefighters responded to the emergency and confirmed the child had died.

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The National Safety Council said about 37 children under the age of 15 die each year on average after being left in a vehicle.

"Nearly every state has experienced at least one death since 1998," the group added. "In both 2018 and 2019, a record number of 53 children died after being left in a hot vehicle."

About half of the hot-car deaths result in charges against a parent, and of those, about 80% result in convictions.

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