Transcript ILMEAThe-Story-of-the-Star-Spangled-Banner

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 flagof-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 7th inning stretch of the 1918 World Series Game 1
at Comiskey Park in Chicago, President Wilson also
requested it played during the 7th 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