Star-Spangled Banner

Star-Spangled Banner. The national anthem of the United States, its lyrics originate from the poem "Defence of Fort M'Henry" written by Francis Scott Key in 1814. Inspired by the Battle of Baltimore during the War of 1812, the poem was set to the tune of a popular British song composed by John Stafford Smith. It was officially designated the national anthem by a congressional resolution signed by President Herbert Hoover in 1931.

History

The lyrics were penned by Francis Scott Key, a lawyer and amateur poet, on September 14, 1814, aboard a British ship in Chesapeake Bay. Key had been negotiating the release of Dr. William Beanes, a civilian prisoner, and witnessed the Bombardment of Fort McHenry from the HMS Tonnant. The sight of the large Garrison Flag of the United States Army flying over Fort McHenry at dawn, signaling an American victory, inspired his poem. The poem was quickly printed in Baltimore newspapers, including the Baltimore Patriot, and set to the melody of "To Anacreon in Heaven", a popular drinking song from the Anacreontic Society in London. The song gained widespread popularity throughout the 19th century, particularly among the United States Navy and at Major League Baseball games, before its formal adoption.

Lyrics

The full poem by Francis Scott Key has four stanzas, though only the first is commonly performed. The first stanza poses a dramatic question about the flag's survival through the battle, with iconic lines describing "the rocket's red glare" and "bombs bursting in air." The rarely sung subsequent stanzas contain more militant and religious themes, including a reference to "the hireling and slave," likely alluding to British recruitment of former slaves from the Colonial Marines. The lyrics were first published under the title "Defence of Fort M'Henry" in the Baltimore Patriot and Evening Advertiser. Standardized versions were later established by the United States Department of War and the United States Navy.

Melody

The tune is adapted from "To Anacreon in Heaven", composed by John Stafford Smith for the Anacreontic Society, a gentlemen's club in London. The song, with its challenging vocal range, was a well-known drinking song in both Great Britain and the early United States. Its meter made it a common vehicle for popular patriotic lyrics, including other American songs like "Adams and Liberty". The arrangement commonly used for official performances was standardized by the United States Marine Band and later by a 1917 commission involving figures like Walter Damrosch and John Philip Sousa.

Use as national anthem

Prior to 1931, the United States did not have an official national anthem, though "Hail, Columbia" and "My Country, 'Tis of Thee" served unofficial roles. The push for official status was led by organizations like the Veterans of Foreign Wars and bolstered by its performance at the 1918 World Series during World War I. After a campaign and a petition signed by five million citizens, Representative John Linthicum of Maryland introduced the bill. President Herbert Hoover signed Public Law 823 on March 3, 1931, making it the official national anthem. Protocol, as defined by the United States Code, states it should be played at events involving the President of the United States and at the opening of sessions of United States Congress.

Cultural impact

The anthem is a central feature of major American public events, including the Super Bowl, the World Series, and the Olympic Games. Iconic performances include Jimi Hendrix's instrumental version at Woodstock and Whitney Houston's rendition at Super Bowl XXV during the Gulf War. Its performance has also been a focal point for social protest, notably by athletes like Muhammad Ali, Tommie Smith, John Carlos, and Colin Kaepernick. The original manuscript is housed at the Maryland Historical Society, and the flag that inspired it is a centerpiece of the National Museum of American History, part of the Smithsonian Institution. Category:National anthems Category:American patriotic songs Category:War of 1812