USA v. England Through History.
June 10, 2010
“These are the times that try men’s souls.” -Thomas Paine, 1776
Chronology of the United States of America v. England through the years:
1. 1775-1783 The American Revolution.
True, the story starts much before this, but it was here that the first shots were fired (both figurative and literal). Lexington and Concord, Bunker Hill, Trenton, Valley Forge, and Yorktown are all engrained in our history along with names like Washington, Franklin, Jefferson, Madison, Patrick Henry, Benedict Arnold, Cornwallis, Rochambeau, Greene, and George III.
Score: USA 1, England 0
2. 1812-1815 War of 1812.
Once again the aggressors, the United States calls out the Bloody Redcoats on unfair trading restrictions. England responds by burning D.C. to the ground! Though a victory seemed apparent for England, Andrew Jackson had other ideas and a fury of last-minute triumphs, including at New Orleans, puts the Stars and Stripes back on top. The U.S.A. receives a war hero in Old Hickory and a new anthem in the Star Spangled Banner.
Score: USA 2, England 0
3. 1950 The Miracle on Grass
It would be 135 years before the U.S. and England faced off again, but now the arena has changed. Allies in recent wars, the Americans and the British now battle on the pitch in the World Cup. England is a 3-1 favorite to win it all, the Americans? 500-1. It’s a story made for Hollywood as the U.S.A., led by high-school teachers, mail-men, and dishwashers, beat the professional “Kings of Football” 1-0!
Score: USA 3, England 0
4. 1953-2008 “Friendly” Era.
So begins a long streak of “friendlies” between the two countries. England, ticked off yet again at the Yanks for the beat-down in 1950, storms the Americans in 1953, 1959, 1964, and 1985 by a combined score of 29-4. The U.S. side steals a match in 1993 by a score of 2-0 and then lost two competitive matches in 2005 and 2008 by scores of 2-1 and 2-0, respectively.
Score: USA 4, England 6
So the Brits caught up with us in time. However, all their victories have come in matches called “friendlies,” although the English don’t seem to take these matches in a very “friendly” way at all, it seems. The United States has come through when it matters most against England: in war and in the World Cup. Which brings us to the present.
2010 FIFA World Cup Opening Round Match: U.S.A vs. England!!
Come on, Yanks, let’s take it to those Red Coats like only we know how! They come into this match with their typical Football bravado, but we all know where that got them 1950! Sure, they invented the sport, so what? Never has there been a greater opportunity to beat them at their own game! If all else fails, remember the rallying cries of our brothers in 1775:
“Don’t tread on me!”
“Join, or die.”
“I regret that I have but one life to give for my country.”
“I have not yet begun to fight!”
“Give me liberty, or give me death!”
