The Star-Spangled Banner

THE STAR-SPANGLED BANNER

Every country has a national anthem. In the United States, ours is “The Star-Spangled Banner.” It began as a poem, written in 1814 by Francis Scott Key — a lawyer and amateur poet.

Key wrote it after watching British warships bombard Fort McHenry during the War of 1812. The fort held through the night. At dawn, Key saw the American flag still flying, and that sight inspired his poem. He first titled it “Defence of Fort McHenry.”

The music came from an older song, “To Anacreon in Heaven,” composed by John Stafford Smith for a social club in London. Set to that tune, the poem was soon renamed “The Star-Spangled Banner.” It spans about an octave and a half, which makes it famously hard to sing. The song has four stanzas, though the public usually sings only the first.

The anthem earned official status over time. In 1889, the U.S. Navy ordered it played at the raising of the flag. In 1916, President Woodrow Wilson called for it at military and formal occasions. Finally, on March 3, 1931, Congress made it the national anthem, and President Herbert Hoover signed the law.

Today, Americans sing it at sporting events, national holidays, and civic ceremonies. The anthem still honors the flag that flew over Fort McHenry — you can read the full history of the American flag here. For a flag of your own, browse our American flags, or learn more about the Pledge of Allegiance.

Want to know more about the Star-Spangled Banner? Call Flag World Company at 303-623-0589.