Our National Anthem

During the War of 1812, on September 13, 1814, Francis Scott Key visited the British fleet in Chesapeake Bay to secure the release of Dr. William Beanes, who had been captured after the burning of Washington DC. The release was completed, but Key was held by the British overnight during the shelling of Fort McHenry, one of the forts defending Baltimore. In the morning, Key peered through clearing smoke to see an enormous American flag flying proudly after a 25-hour British bombardment of Fort McHenry. He was so delighted to see the flag still flying over the fort that he began a poem to commemorate the occasion, with a note that it should be sung to the popular British melody “To Anacreon in Heaven.”

In 1916, President Woodrow Wilson ordered that it be played at military and naval occasions. In 1931, the Star-Spangled Banner became our national anthem.

This audio version of “The Star-Spangled Banner” was obtained from the United States Air Force (USAF) Heritage of America Band. Visit the USAF Heritage of America Band’s official Web site for more patriotic songs.

The Star-Spangled Banner is one of the most controversial national symbols. Some people simply object to it because it’s so hard to sing. Others don’t like it because it celebrates war.

Many people don’t really care what the national anthem is, but they don’t like being forced or pressured into singing it. They believe the national anthem is used for propaganda purposes, similar to the pledge of allegiance.

What do you think?