Local history: Hands Across America united us 35 years ago
United we stood. Americans lined up 35 years ago in an attempt to form a human chain that stretched from sea to shining sea.
When the time arrived, strangers clasped hands and sang along as hundreds of U.S. radio stations played the same song at once.
“Hands across America,” people sang cheerfully. “Hands across this land I love. Divided we fall. United we stand. Hands across America.”
In an idealistic era when high-profile events were staged to combat hunger and homelessness, Hands Across America was exceedingly ambitious. More than 5 million people participated Sunday, May 25, 1986, as the chain snaked its way from New York to Los Angeles through 16 states and the District of Columbia.