The History of the U.S. National Anthem
"The Star-Spangled Banner," informally called the National Anthem, is an icon of American ideals. Its lyrics speak of survival and triumph in times of struggle and war, and its melody (though difficult to sing) is one of the best known and best loved in the world. The song's history traces back to the War of 1812, and its story contains a few surprises you may not have learned in history class.
Other People Are Reading
-
The Lyrics
-
Francis Scott Key wrote The Star-Spangled Banner in September of 1814, while witnessing a British naval strike against the Americans in the War of 1812. Key was a diplomat and amateur poet who had been sent aboard a British ship to bargain for the release of an American civilian, but was detained himself when the British began bombarding Fort McHenry. The Maryland fort withstood a brutal 24-hour beating, and later Key saw an American flag still flying overhead and was so inspired by the sight that he wrote the song's first verse on the back of a letter.
Completion
-
Key's first verse is often mistaken as the entirety of the song. In reality, he wrote three additional verses upon his return to Baltimore. He printed the lyrics to preserve them, and a Baltimore printer published them. The lyrics soon appeared in local newspapers, and within a month of their writing, the lyrics had been published in at least 17 newspapers up and down the East Coast.
-
Putting The Words To Music
-
Many Americans are surprised to learn that the melody for "The Star-Spangled Banner" is not its own. It was a popular practice to take popular tunes and make them into new songs by changing the lyrics ("My Country 'Tis of Thee" shares a melody with "God Save The Queen," for example). For "The Star-Spangled Banner," Key took the melody from the 18th-century English song "To Anacreon In Heaven."
Integration Into Popular Culture
-
The Star-Spangled Banner quickly became a popular patriotic song; Americans loved it for its anthemic quality and its message that the United States and its flag would forever be symbols of freedom, bravery and perseverance. The song gained popularity during the Civil War, and in the late 1800s, military bands began playing it as part of ceremonies including the daily raising and lowering of colors. The song officially became the National Anthem in 1931.
Modern Applications
-
The song is most frequently heard at official ceremonies and sporting events, from youth sports to professional events. Its range (one and a half octaves) makes it difficult for amateur singers, leading American commentator Garrison Keillor to campaign for the performance of the song in the low and manageable key of G major.
-
