Columbia, Gem of the Ocean -Postcard Friendship Friday #411

This is such a lovely postcard.  The little girl's jumper and starry apron are just charming, making it the perfect postcard to commemorate Flag Day.

However the title of this postcard had me baffled.  So, I did a little research. Columbia, Gem of the Ocean is the name of a song thought to have been composed by Thomas A Becket in 1843. 

For many years this song was the unofficial national anthem of America. However, in 1931 the Star Spangled Banner was officially adopted by Congress as the official national anthem of the United States.  Still, the song was very popular. So much so, in 1957, it was featured in the popular musical The Music Man.

I was also astonished to learn that in 1969, Columbia, the Gem of the Ocean was performed by a U.S. Navy Band aboard the USS Hornet, while the ship's helicopters recovered the Apollo 11 astronauts after they splashed down in the Pacific Ocean!  History is SO interesting and full of surprises. 

Have a lovely weekend, dear Friends.  Happy Flag Day and Happy Postcard Friendship Friday!

* LINKING UP:  You can put your link in any time between now and next Thursday.  Postcard Friendship Friday is open for the entire week!     

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