With the anniversary of September 11th, many Americans take time to look back at the past. Having learned an array of history throughout our years in school, here are some songs you may not have known were about particular events:

“I Was Here” by Beyonce

Though Beyonce did not write it, the songwriter Diane Warren based the song on the 9/11 terrorist attacks. The song was released as a tribute during the tenth anniversary of the attacks two years ago. 

“Sunday Bloody Sunday” by U2

Taken off possibly the most notable U2 album, “Sunday Bloody Sunday” is about the 1972 incident when British troops shot innocent, peaceful protestors who were rallying against internment. One of the most blatantly political songs, Bono and the guys recount the trouble in Northern Ireland with the IRA and British conflicts to this day when they perform this in concert and continue advocating for peace. 

“Pride (In the Name of Love) by U2 

Another U2 track, this song in particular was written about Martin Luther King Jr. Bono meant for the song to be a tribute for when they visited the Chicago Peace Museum in 1983. 

“We Didn’t Start the Fire” by Billy Joel 

Perhaps the most comprehensive song about history, “We Didn’t Start the Fire” sounds like one of those songs your teachers made you memorize in middle school. Basically, this song mentions almost every controversial figure and topic in the 20th century including AIDs, the H-bomb, etc. 

“Zombie” by the Cranberries 

The Irish sure have a lot to sing about. This particular track was written for Jonathan Ball and Tim Parry who were two boys murdered in an IRA bombing in 1993.

"The Ballad of Ira Hayes" by Johnny Cash 

Though written by Peter La Farge, not Cash, this song is about Ira Hayes who was one of the people in the famous image to raise the flag during the Battle of Iwo Jima.

Reach Staff Reporter Jillian Morabito here.