Why Removing Your Hat for ‘God Bless America’ or ‘America the Beautiful’ Feels Like a Second Anthem

Miss America 2026 Cassie Donegan performed “God Bless America” during a FOX Sports broadcast on July 15, 2026. The performance sparked a public debate regarding the proper etiquette for patriotic songs, specifically whether removing one’s hat during such songs treats them as a second national anthem.

The discussion centers on the distinction between the official national anthem, “The Star-Spangled Banner,” and other patriotic compositions like “God Bless America” or “America the Beautiful.”

Etiquette Standards for Patriotic Songs

Standard U.S. flag and anthem etiquette typically requires men to remove their hats and place their right hand over their heart during the national anthem. However, debate persists regarding whether these same rules apply to other patriotic songs.

Some observers argue that standing with a hat removed for “God Bless America” effectively elevates the song to the status of a second anthem. This perspective suggests that while patriotic songs deserve respect, they do not carry the same formal requirements as the official national anthem.

The Performance by Cassie Donegan

Cassie Donegan, the reigning Miss America 2026, delivered the performance as part of a FOX Sports event. The broadcast served as the catalyst for the renewed conversation on social media and among viewers regarding the behavioral expectations for the audience during the song.

The event highlighted a divide in how Americans perceive the “honor” given to patriotic music versus the legal and traditional protocols surrounding the national anthem.