The History of the Star Spangled Banner Song

The Star Spangled Banner, also known as 'Oh Say Can You See,' is one of the most iconic and recognizable songs in American history. Written by Francis Scott Key in 1814, the song has undergone significant changes over the years to become the official national anthem of the United States.

Key wrote the lyrics while detained on a British ship in Baltimore during the War of 1812. The inspiration for the verse came from watching the bombardment of Fort McHenry and seeing the American flag still waving after the attack. Key's use of the phrase 'the land of the free' was meant to describe the bravery and resilience of the American people.

Interestingly, during the Civil War, members of the Confederacy attempted to claim the anthem as their own due to its association with the slave owner Francis Scott Key. However, poet Oliver Wendell Homes added a fifth stanza in 1861 that advocated for the emancipation of enslaved people, titled 'the millions unchain'd.' This addition helped to shift the song's focus towards freedom and unity.

The Star Spangled Banner has been translated into numerous languages, including German, Spanish, Polish, French, Italian, Hebrew, Yiddish, Latin, and Native Hawaiian. Its widespread adoption can be attributed in part to its translation during the Civil War, which aimed to recruit German soldiers to the Union Army.

In 1889, the Navy began using the anthem for official ceremonies, followed by President Woodrow Wilson's decision to use it in 1916. The song was originally titled 'The Defense of Fort McHenry,' but Key later changed its name to better honor the flag and the United States.

On March 3, 1931, President Herbert Hoover signed a bill declaring 'The Star-Spangled Banner' the official national anthem of the United States. Today, the song is an integral part of American culture and tradition, played at numerous events and ceremonies across the country.

In honor of its special anniversary, here are some well-known and little-known facts about our national song: Francis Scott Key wrote the lyrics during his time on a British ship in Baltimore; the song was originally titled 'The Defense of Fort McHenry'; Oliver Wendell Homes added a fifth stanza advocating for the emancipation of enslaved people; and it has been translated into numerous languages, including German and Native Hawaiian.

History of the star spangled banner song