Patriotic Voices on Shellac: Honoring America Through 78rpm Records

As we approach Memorial Day, we reflect on the power of music to bring people together, lift spirits, and inspire a sense of unity. The Recorded Sound Archives is home to a treasure trove of patriotic recordings pressed onto fragile 78rpm shellac discs—reminders of how music once echoed through living rooms, barracks, and dance halls during America’s most trying times.
These vintage recordings aren’t just music—they’re sonic time capsules that capture the resilience, pride, and hope of generations past.