The Star-Spangled Banner Our National Anthem

The British attacked and set fire to Washington, D.C. in The British attacked and set fire to Washington, D.C. in The British then set out to capture Baltimore, MD. The British then set out to capture Baltimore, MD. War of 1812

The “Star-Spangled Banner” was written by Francis Scott Key during the War of 1812 about the attack on Fort McHenry in Baltimore, Maryland. The “Star-Spangled Banner” was written by Francis Scott Key during the War of 1812 about the attack on Fort McHenry in Baltimore, Maryland. Francis Scott Key was onboard a British ship negotiating the release of a prisoner when the bombardment of Fort McHenry occurred. Francis Scott Key was onboard a British ship negotiating the release of a prisoner when the bombardment of Fort McHenry occurred. Francis Scott Key wrote a poem about this event which became the lyrics to the “Star-Spangled Banner”. Francis Scott Key wrote a poem about this event which became the lyrics to the “Star-Spangled Banner”.

Brevet Lt. Col. George Armistead

The Flag Sewn by Mary Pickersgill of Baltimore Sewn by Mary Pickersgill of Baltimore Measures 30 x 42 feet Measures 30 x 42 feet 15 stars & 15 stripes (Vermont #14; Kentucky #15) 15 stars & 15 stripes (Vermont #14; Kentucky #15) A law was passed in 1818 to keep only 13 stripes but add a new star for each state. A law was passed in 1818 to keep only 13 stripes but add a new star for each state.

The Song The lyrics come from Key’s poem. The lyrics come from Key’s poem. The tune is actually from an old British song. The tune is actually from an old British song. The song became instantly popular, but it did not become the national anthem until The song became instantly popular, but it did not become the national anthem until 1931.

The Star-Spangled Banner Oh, say, can you see by the dawn’s early light What so proudly we hailed at the twilights 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?