Alabama (AL). The 22nd state to join the Union in 1819
Alabama factoids: The capital of Alabama is Montgomery; its largest cities are Huntsville, Montgomery, and Birmingham. Today’s population in Alabama is approximately 5 million (averaging around 100 people per square mile). Alabama’s state tree is the ‘Southern Longleaf Pine’; its state flower is the ‘Camellia’; its state bird the ‘Yellowhammer’; its state fruit is the ‘Blackberry’ and its state nut is the ‘Pecan’. Alabama’s State Motto is: “Audemus jura nostra defendere” (We dare defend our rights).
One of Sri Chinmoy’s most beloved heroes, the great Olympian, Jesse Owens, was born in Oakville, Alabama. There now is the Jesse Owens Memorial Park and Museum in Oakville. Sri Chinmoy had the honour of meeting his hero, During their meeting on November 4, 1972 in NY, Mr. Owen’s mentions his childhood in Alabama to Sri Chinmoy.
Activities of Sri Chinmoy in Alabama (see page for activities in other states)
- February 27, 1974. Sri Chinmoy delivers a lecture, entitled ‘The Human and the Divine’, at 8 p.m. in the Student Center Ballroom, the University of South Alabama in Mobile, Alabama.
- Five Q&As from that event was published in Fifty Freedom-Boats to One Golden Shore, Part 3
1982
July 9, 1982, the Governor of the State of Alabama bestows Sri Chinmoy with an proclamation of “Honorary Citizen of the State of Alabama”.
2005
- The mayor of Mobile, Alabama proclaims May 4, 2005 ‘World Harmony Run Day’ in honour of the Peace Run passing through the city.
1987-current, the Sri Chinmoy Oneness-Home Peace Run passes through Alabama bi-annually on its cross-country trek and engages with its welcoming citizens (see example of photos of its previous visit)
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Listen to the melody Sri Chinmoy set for name ‘Alabama’
(read more about these on the 50-state songs page)
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Among the many songs Sri Chinmoy composed on America, his adopted country, this one is perhaps the most powerful:
America, America, America!
Great you are, good you are,
Brave you are, kind you are.
O my America, America.
Your Heaven-freedom is earth’s aspiration-choice.
With you, in you, is God-Hour’s Victory-Voice.
—Sri Chinmoy
(see https://www.srichinmoysongs.com/america-great-you-are-good-you-are)
The song “America! Great You Are, Good You Are” recording, below, as performed by the Sri Chinmoy Choir:
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