U-S-A! Cheer

The U-S-A! Cheer is a chant that was first yelled by fans during the 1980 Winter Olympics.

The Olympics were held in Lake Placid, New York, and the United States men's ice hockey team was shocking the Soviet Union and other nations by winning the gold medal in what became known as the "Miracle on Ice". The American fans, who were dismayed by their country's troubles with the Vietnam War, inflation, and political scandals like Watergate, found renewed pride in their country vicariously through the young hockey players.

Crowds at the hockey games began chanting "U-S-A! U-S-A!" and since that time, American sports fans have spontaneously chanted that at many international events, and during times of patriotic fervor. Most recently, the 9/11 attacks found a revival in the chant during patriotic ceremonies at sporting events; the chant was also heard when U.S. President George W. Bush visited the ruins at the World Trade Center site in the week following the 2001 attacks.