National anthem

The national anthem of the United States is the Star-Spangled Banner, and it is played and sung at the beginning of ceremonial events, conventions, sporting events, veterans events and other formal occasions. It became the National Anthem in 1931.

History

Francis Scott Key visited the British fleet in Chesapeake Bay during the War of 1812. His purpose was to obtain the release of Dr. William Beanes, whom the British had captured after invading and burning Washington, D.C..

Key was successful in his mission, but was held anyway by the British overnight during the British shelling of Fort McHenry, which defended Baltimore. The British bombardment of the fort lasted a merciless 25 hours. The following morning, Key was thrilled to see a gargantuan American flag still flying despite the bombs, and he composed a poem in honor of that endurance.

He did not compose the music, which is not an original score. Instead, he simply suggested that his poem be sung to the familiar British tune, "To Anacreon in Heaven."

In 1916, President Woodrow Wilson ordered that it be played at military and naval occasions, and in 1931 it became the official anthem.