This story is part of American Anthem, a yearlong series on songs that rouse, unite, celebrate and call to action. Find more at NPR.org/Anthem. Aaron Copland's ...

Nonetheless, the common man and woman remains the American ideal, even when we forget that, as we have until recently. In our touching hypocrisy, all of us want to be rich, powerful, and ordinary ...

In 1942 U.S. Vice President Henry Wallace gave a speech about the “Century of the Common Man.” He stated that the American Common Man (people) would be willing to die and go abroad to defend ...