PETE SEEGER DIED MONDAY AT 94

On July 26, 1956, the House of Representatives voted 373 to 9 to cite Pete Seeger and seven others (including playwright Arthur Miller) for contempt, as they failed to cooperate with House Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC) in their attempts to investigate alleged subversives and communists. Pete Seeger testified before the HUAC in 1955.
In one of Pete's darkest moments, when his personal freedom, his career, and his safety were in jeopardy, a flash of inspiration ignited this song. The song was stirred by a passage from Mikhail Sholokhov's novel "And Quie Flows the Don". Around the world the song traveled and in 1962 at a UNICEF concert in Germany, Marlene Dietrich, Academy Award-nominated German-born American actress, first performed the song in French, as "Qui peut dire ou vont les fleurs?" Shortly after she sang it in German. The song's impact in Germany just after WWII was shattering. It's universal message, "let there be peace in the world" did not get lost in its translation. To the contrary, the combination of the language, the setting, and the great lyrics has had a profound effect on people all around the world. May it have the same effect today and bring renewed awareness to all that hear it.

Written on Facebook by Kitama Cahill-Jackson (One of Pete's grandsons)

It was one year ago today that Grandpa died. And six months before that that Grandma did. While they felt that it was every person's responsibility to help make this world a better place for future generations - they actually did it. Every time you sort your recycling, sing in a protest, take a walk along the Hudson River, or hear a subway performer or American Idol contestant sing with an acoustic guitar, you are seeing the powerful effect that my grandparents had on the world, and on people who they never knew and may not even know how my grandparents influenced them, or who my grandparents are.

My grandparents show that to make a difference, no one has to know your name. Everyone knows my grandparents' work, but only a fraction of those people know his name. My grandpa would like that.

My grandparents showed that music, social and environmental change can permeate cultures and generations. Although my grandparents did a lot to make this world a better place - if they were here today they would want everyone to remember that while you should learn from and celebrate history, but there is still lots of work to be done. My grandparents, although I feel them around me everyday, are now a part of history. Learn from them, remember them and keep their values and ideals close.

Grandma and Grandpa I will always miss you. Thinking of you today. I cannot thank you enough for all you have done.