Aretha Franklin performed "My Country, 'Tis of Thee" at President Barack Obama's inauguration in January 2009. By that time, the Queen of Soul had sung at many other presidential celebrations ...

The lyrics to “America (My Country, ‘Tis of Thee)” were written by a Baptist minister, named Samuel Francis Smith, in 1981 while he was still a student in seminary school. He set his words ...

One of Aretha Franklin's most compelling performances was her rendition of "My Country 'Tis of Thee" at President Barack Obama's first inauguration in 2009. The Queen of Soul died Thursday of ...