The Story of the Star-Spangled Banner

The story of “The Star Spangled Banner” is a story of heroism and courage that began late in the summer of the year 1814.

For two years, the U.S. had been fighting England in the War of 1812 and things were going badly for the Americans.

By the summer of 1814, British troops had set fire to the city of Washington, and nearby Baltimore was under attack.

During the fighting, the British had taken many Americans as prisoners. Among these was a Maryland physician named Dr. William Beanes.

Dr. Beanes was being held on board one of the British ships and the Doctor’s friends on shore asked the United States government for help in getting him released.

Colonel John S. Skinner, an expert in negotiating the exchange of prisoners of war, was given the job of asking for the doctor’s release. He was accompanied on this mission by a close personal friend of Dr. Beanes’, a young Washington lawyer named Francis Scott Key.

The two Americans were received politely by the British officers on board the ship as they presented the officers with letters from British prisoners who had received kind treatment at the hands of Dr. Beanes.

Because of these letters, the British agreed to release their prisoner but on the condition that they must not leave the ship until after the British planned attack on Baltimore’s Fort McHenry.

In the early morning hours of September 13, 1814, the heavy bombing began and it continued all through the day.

Inside Fort McHenry, Colonel George Armistead commanded that the large American flag he had recently ordered be flown to show that they would not give up.

Francis Scott Key watched anxiously as twilight fell. At times he could not even see the fort but he hoped that its flag still flew.

All through the night, the bombing continued and through the darkness occasionally, by the light of an exploding rocket shell, Key was able to see the American flag still flying proudly over Fort McHenry.

As dawn broke, a light wind sprang up and for a moment as the smoke of the battle lifted, the prisoners on the flag- of-truce boat could see that the Americans had not surrendered—the flag still flew!

Seizing an old letter from his pocket, Francis Scott Key began to write, making notes for lyrics that were to become immortal.

When the British realized that there was not an easy victory in sight, a cease fire was ordered and Francis Scott Key, Colonel Skinner and Dr. Beane were set free.

Back on land, in a Baltimore hotel room, Key completed the writing of his lyrics. On September 17, 1814 they were published under the title, “The Defence of Fort M’Henry.”

Francis Scott Key wrote his lyrics with an old English tune in mind called “To Anachreon in Heaven.” Within days the song with Key’s new words was being sung publicly throughout the country inspiring hope and national pride.

Over the years, under the title “The Star Spangled Banner” it became even more popular. It was ordered played to inspire the troops during the Spanish American War when it became our UNOFFICIAL national anthem.

In 1916, President Woodrow Wilson ordered “The Star-Spangled Banner” played by all the Armed Forces of the United States.

During the 7 th inning stretch of the 1918 World Series Game 1 at Comiskey Park in Chicago, President Wilson also requested it played during the 7 th inning stretch. It was played at the beginning of every other game in the series and from then on at all major sports events.

John Philip Sousa performed it with his band as he toured the U.S. and led a campaign to make it our national anthem.

Finally, in March of 1931, Congress passed a bill officially designating “The Star-Spangled Banner” as our country’s national anthem. The bill was signed by President Hoover.

Today Americans everywhere are still inspired by the sight of our flag and by the words of the song that Francis Scott Key wrote to honor it.

And, as if in proof of those words, by order of the President of the United States, our flag still flies both day and night over historic Fort McHenry and in nearby Frederick, Maryland over the grave of Francis Scott Key.

The End