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moved from "National Anthem"
The '''national anthem''' of the [[United States]] is the ''Star-Spangled Banner'', and it is played and sung at the beginning of ceremonial events, conventions, sporting events, veterans events and other formal occasions. It became the '''National Anthem''' in 1931.
== History ==
Francis Scott Key visited the [[British]] fleet in [[Chesapeake Bay]] during the [[War of 1812]]. His purpose was to obtain the release of Dr. William Beanes, whom the [[British]] had captured after invading and burning [[Washington, D.C.]].
Key was successful in his mission, but was held anyway by the [[British]] overnight during the [[British]] shelling of [[Fort McHenry]], which defended [[Baltimore]]. The [[British]] bombardment of the fort lasted a merciless 25 hours. The following morning, Key was thrilled to see a gargantuan American flag still flying despite the bombs, and he composed a poem in honor of that endurance.
He did not compose the music, which is not an original score. Instead, he simply suggested that his poem be sung to the familiar [[British]] tune, "To Anacreon in Heaven."
In 1916, President Woodrow Wilson ordered that it be played at military and naval occasions, and in 1931 it became the official anthem.
[[Category:United States Government]]
[[Category:music]]
== History ==
Francis Scott Key visited the [[British]] fleet in [[Chesapeake Bay]] during the [[War of 1812]]. His purpose was to obtain the release of Dr. William Beanes, whom the [[British]] had captured after invading and burning [[Washington, D.C.]].
Key was successful in his mission, but was held anyway by the [[British]] overnight during the [[British]] shelling of [[Fort McHenry]], which defended [[Baltimore]]. The [[British]] bombardment of the fort lasted a merciless 25 hours. The following morning, Key was thrilled to see a gargantuan American flag still flying despite the bombs, and he composed a poem in honor of that endurance.
He did not compose the music, which is not an original score. Instead, he simply suggested that his poem be sung to the familiar [[British]] tune, "To Anacreon in Heaven."
In 1916, President Woodrow Wilson ordered that it be played at military and naval occasions, and in 1931 it became the official anthem.
[[Category:United States Government]]
[[Category:music]]