#Story of the star spangled banner song free

The sight of those 'broad stripes and bright stars' inspired Francis Scott Key to write a song that eventually became the United States. O thus be it ever when freemen shall stand Between their lov’d home and the war’s desolation.

#Story of the star spangled banner song free

You can watch David Barton’s short history of the Star Spangled Banner, or you can purchase a high-resolution copy to show to your church, school, or other group. soldiers at Baltimore’s Fort McHenry raised a huge American flag to celebrate an important victory over British forces during the War of 1812. And the star-spangled banner in triumph doth wave O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave. Please read this story before you angrily message this writer with accusations he is anti-American. It is baffling why anyone would fabricate historical facts that would then be assumed to be authentic. As we celebrate its anniversary, let’s remember the many blessings God has bestowed on this nation, and the corresponding duties that we and our fellow-citizens have to preserve those blessings. The true story of the Star Spangled Banner is inspiring, as it was written after a key battle near the end of the War of 1812. The song became popular during the Civil War and remained so well into the 20th century before finally being officially made America’s national anthem. The poem, originally titled The Defence of Fort M’Henry, was written after Key witnessed the Maryland fort being bombarded by the British during the War of 1812.

Shortly thereafter they were published as a poem titled “Defence of Fort M’Henry.” Set to music in November of that year, it was named “The Star Spangled Banner.” pens a poem which is later set to music and in 1931 becomes America’s national anthem, The Star-Spangled Banner. Inspired by these events, Francis Scott Key wrote down a few lines about the attack while still on board the ship and then wrote several more lines after reaching shore. Throughout the long night, he watched the attack on Fort McHenry, fearing its fall, but when morning arrived, the American flag was still flying - the fort had survived the attack. The British then marched to Baltimore, Maryland, and on September 13 began bombarding Fort McHenry.Īt that time, attorney Francis Scott Key was aboard a British ship negotiating the release of a friend. Known as the War of 1812, it lasted until 1815.ĭuring the war, in August 1814, England invaded Washington, D.C., setting fire to the Capitol, White House, and other government buildings. The British captured American ships on the high seas and forced American sailors ( around 10,000 of them) to fight for England. Inspired by the Battle of Baltimore in 1814, Keys was so moved at the American resilience he saw that he couldn’t wait to write the lyrics and scribbled them on the backside of a letter. On March 3, 1931, an Act of Congress made the Star Spangled Banner America’s national anthem, but the history of that song goes back almost two centuries.įollowing the American Revolution, Americans hoped to live in peace but France and England became engaged in a conflict that drew America back into war. The Star-Spangled Banner was penned by Francis Scott Key, a 19th-century lawyer who dabbled in poetry.