Today is National Anthem Day. Although The Star Spangled Banner was written on September 14, 1814, it was on this date in 1931 that it was adopted as the United States' song.
The composer, Francis Scott Key, created our lyrics during the War of 1812 (which lasted two years). A friend of his had been captured by the British army on a ship in Baltimore Harbor during the Battle of Fort McHenry. Mr. Scott went aboard the ship to negotiate the other man's release and it was from that ship that they witnessed the bombing of the fort. The following morning, Francis Scott Key saw that the American flag was still flying over the ruins of the fort and it was that image that prompted him to write The Star Spangled Banner (originally named The Defense of Fort McHenry).
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 through the perilous fight,
O'er the ramparts we watched were so gallantly streaming.
And the rockets' 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!
Proudly show your American flag!
(All photos of this post are from my personal collection.)
God bless the United States of America!