When did America become "the homeland"?

[Thundercrack85]

I don't know if people have noticed, but this odd term popped up right around 9/11, and seems to be thrown around more and more. I can't seem to find any use of the word before 9/11.

Was it ever used before? Historically, America has been the Republic, and the Union, but this word like post-9/11 flag pins seems to be here to stay.

It's such an Orwellian word like fatherland.

I just heard a (Republican) congressman saying "secure the homeland" (talking about ebola), and it sounds like something out of a dystopian future science fiction story.

Does anyone else find the word un-American?

 

[MessiahDecoy123]

Hmm, I never noticed how Orwellian the term was.

But I'd put it far down the list of Orwellian things the government does these days we should worry about.

 

[terry78]

Isn't that what the tv show uses? I think it's a term they use to try and instill some kind of solidarity. I get it to an extent, but don't think too much of it. If it starts causing nut cases, then yeah.

 

[Marvolo]

Descriptors like this change with the zeitgeist. Always have and always will. Personally, they can call it the fatherland or motherland for all I really care. It won't take away my rights or suddenly make this place any less of a democratic republic.

 

[XtremelyBaneful]

I thought homeland meant wherever you are born/have the citizenship for. My homeland is the U.S since I'm American but my motherland is B.D since that's where my parents are from.