There's a story behind the song that became America's national anthem.
There's a story behind the song that became America's national anthem.
Date published: 7/4/2005
ASHINGTON attorney Francis Scott Key wrote America's national anthem at a dramatic moment during the War of 1812.
On the night of Sept. 13, 1814, Key watched an attack by the British navy at Fort McHenry in Baltimore, Md. After watching the rockets' red glare and bombs bursting in air throughout the night, dawn broke.
Key was expecting to find Baltimore firmly under British control, but was stunned to see a battered, but still flying, American flag waving in the sunrise.
He was so inspired he wrote the poem, "The Star-Spangled Banner," according to the Web site, The National Anthem Project.
The words were set to a tune attributed to John Stafford Smith, and the song became America's national anthem in 1931.
Date published: 7/4/2005
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