Star-Spangled+Banner

=Star-Spangled Banner= = = = = = = toc The Star-Spangled Banner is the National Anthem of the United States of America. It was written by Francis Scott Key during the Defense of Baltimore while he was on an English ship. It was originally a poem written by Key, but has been adapted as an anthem for America portraying all of the country's wonderful aspects.

History
The Star-Spangled Banner was written on September 13, 1814 while its author, Francis Scott Key, a Washington, D.C. citizen and lawyer many people knew in the area was on an English ship. An American citizen would, if on a ship during a Naval battle at all, be on an American ship most likely. But, Key was forced to be on an English ship because he was trying to get a doctor that was captured by the British out of their hands. Key had to stay on the ship throughout the night because of the orders of the captain of the ship on which the doctor was aboard. So, he did, and witnessed one of the most triumphant battles in American history. He recorded what he witnessed as a poem that would later be the National Anthem of America.

Why It Was Written
As a witness, Francis Scott Key was moved by the strength and persistence of the American Navy and other armed forces in the Defense of Baltimore. He was very proud of his country and admired it, as shown in the actual poem. Key's patriotism was conveyed through his writing, and that has made him a very renowned poet in American history.

What Does It Say?
The Star-Spangled Banner portrays the strength of America beautifully. It shows the flag as a symbol of strength of America and persistence of it also. The words are as follows:

Oh, say can you see by the dawn's early light What so proudly we hailed at the twilight's last gleaming? Whose broad stripes and bright stars thru the perilous fight, O'er the ramparts we watched were so gallantly streaming? And the rocket's red glare, the bombs bursting in air, Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there. Oh, say does that star-spangled banner yet wave O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave?

On the shore, dimly seen through the mists of the deep, Where the foe's haughty host in dread silence reposes, What is that which the breeze, o'er the towering steep, As it fitfully blows, half conceals, half discloses? Now it catches the gleam of the morning's first beam, In full glory reflected now shines in the stream: 'Tis the star-spangled banner! Oh long may it wave O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!

And where is that band who so vauntingly swore That the havoc of war and the battle's confusion, A home and a country should leave us no more! Their blood has washed out their foul footsteps' pollution. No refuge could save the hireling and slave From the terror of flight, or the gloom of the grave: And the star-spangled banner in triumph doth wave O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!

Oh! thus be it ever, when freemen shall stand Between their loved home and the war's desolation! Blest with victory and peace, may the heav'n rescued land Praise the Power that hath made and preserved us a nation. Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just, And this be our motto: "In God is our trust." And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave! (Taken from http://www.usa-flag-site.org/song-lyrics/star-spangled-banner.shtml.)

The last three sections are part of the poem written by Key but are not included in the Anthem we sing today.

Adoption of the Anthem
The Army and the Navy of the United States were the first to foster the Star-Spangled Banner as an anthem for America. There were a few other songs we as a country sang before its adoption on March 3rd, 1931 by Congress. The anthem was very accepted into the country and into people's everyday lives. Most show their respect for it and the flag by putting their right hand over their heart while it is being played at a game or special event. Adopting the Star-Spangled Banner was one of the greatest accomplishments for America.

A Wonderful Anthem
It was quite by coincidence that a poem written by a Defense of Fort McHenry witness would turn into America's National Anthem. But, in this case, something that wasn't meant to be a national anthem turned out to work the best. Key's passion and admiration for the flag and the strength of America were perfect for a National Anthem-it shows all we want in a song that so very well represents our country. What more could we ask for?

Resources
Garraty, John A. __The Story of America__. Austin, TX: Holt, Rinehart and Winston, 1994.

"Happy Birthday, Star Spangled Banner!". __degooyerfamily.blogspot.com__. March 2009. 

"The Star Spangled Banner Lyrics". __usa-flag-site.org__. March 2009. < http://www.usa-flag-site.org/song-lyrics/star-spangled-banner.shtml>