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[[Image:Spangled.jpg|thumb|350px|right|There are only two surviving copies of the original]]

[[Image:Spangled.jpg|thumb|350px|right|There are only two surviving copies of the original]]

'''The Star-Spangled Banner''' is the current [[national anthem]] of the [[United States of America]]. The poem (lyrics) was written by [[Francis Scott Key]]. On 13 September 1814, during the [[War of 1812]], Key visited the [[British]] fleet in [[Chesapeake Bay]] to negotiate the release of Dr. William Beanes, who had been captured after the burning of [[Washington DC]]. The release was completed, but Key remained with the British overnight during the shelling of Fort McHenry, one of the forts defending [[Baltimore]]. In the morning, Key saw through clearing smoke an American flag still flying after the 25 hour bombardment of Fort McHenry. He wrote a poem to commemorate the occasion, noting that it should be sung to the popular British melody "To Anacreon in Heaven." In 1916, [[President]] [[Woodrow Wilson]] ordered that it be played at military and naval occasions, and in 1931 the Star-Spangled Banner became the national anthem.

'''The Star-Spangled Banner''' is the current [[national anthem]] of the [[United States of America]]. The poem (lyrics) was written by [[Francis Scott Key]]. On 13 September 1814, during the [[War of 1812]], Key visited the [[British]] fleet in [[Chesapeake Bay]] to negotiate the release of Dr. William Beanes, who had been captured after the burning of [[Washington DC]]. The release was completed, but Key remained with the British overnight during the shelling of Fort McHenry, one of the forts defending [[Baltimore]]. In the morning, Key saw through clearing smoke the large Pickersgill American flag still flying after the 25 hour bombardment of Fort McHenry. He wrote a poem to commemorate the occasion, noting that it should be sung to the popular British melody "To Anacreon in Heaven." In 1916, [[President]] [[Woodrow Wilson]] ordered that it be played at military and naval occasions, and in 1931 the Star-Spangled Banner became the national anthem.

The most commonly used section is the first verse, the words of which are:

The most commonly used section is the first verse, the words of which are:

In 1916, President Woodrow Wilson ordered that it be played at military and naval occasions, and in 1931 it became the official [[anthem]].  Until the official adoption of the ''The Star-Spangled Banner'', [[My Country, 'Tis of Thee]] was a de facto National Anthem.

In 1916, President Woodrow Wilson ordered that it be played at military and naval occasions, and in 1931 it became the official [[anthem]].  Until the official adoption of the ''The Star-Spangled Banner'', [[My Country, 'Tis of Thee]] was a de facto National Anthem.

In the aftermath of the [[9/11]] terror attacks, many American tourists were stranded in Britain. The "Changing of the Guard" ceremony at [[Buckingham Palace]] is usually watched by several hundred onlookers, mostly tourists, who line the pavement in front of the palace to see the centuries-old tradition, which dates back to 1660.<ref>'''Graves, David''' ''Palace breaks with tradition in musical tribute'' [http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2001/09/14/nbrit114.xml Daily telegraph, 14 September 2001]. Accessed 14 February 2008</ref> On 13 September 2001, a crowd of around 5000 people, mostly Americans, had gathered in the absence of few other focal points in the capital for the American community. In an unprecedented move, [[Elizabeth II|the Queen]] ordered the band of the Coldstream Guards to break over three centuries of tradition and to play the Star Spangled Banner as a sign of respect and solidarity.<ref>'''Kelso, Paul''' ''US anthem played at changing of the guard'' [http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2001/sep/14/september11.usa3 The Guardian, 14 September 2001]. Accessed 14 February 2008.</ref>

In the aftermath of the [[9/11]] terror attacks, many American tourists were stranded in Britain. The "Changing of the Guard" ceremony at [[Buckingham Palace]] is usually watched by several hundred onlookers, mostly tourists, who line the pavement in front of the palace to see the centuries-old tradition, which dates back to 1660.<ref>'''Graves, David''' ''Palace breaks with tradition in musical tribute'' [https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2001/09/14/nbrit114.xml Daily telegraph, 14 September 2001]. Accessed 14 February 2008</ref> On 13 September 2001, a crowd of around 5000 people, mostly Americans, had gathered in the absence of few other focal points in the capital for the American community. In an unprecedented move, [[Elizabeth II|the Queen]] ordered the band of the Coldstream Guards to break over three centuries of tradition and to play the Star Spangled Banner as a sign of respect and solidarity.<ref>'''Kelso, Paul''' ''US anthem played at changing of the guard'' [http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2001/sep/14/september11.usa3 The Guardian, 14 September 2001]. Accessed 14 February 2008.</ref>

==Complete poem of ''The Star Spangled Banner''==

==Complete poem of ''The Star Spangled Banner''==

And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave<br />

And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave<br />

O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!

O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!

==See also==

==See also==

==External links==

==External links==

*[http://www.whitehouse.gov/national-anthem/audio/usa.ram Listen to the U.S. National Anthem]. Requires RealPlayer  

*[https://www.whitehouse.gov/national-anthem/audio/usa.ram Listen to the U.S. National Anthem]. Requires RealPlayer  

*[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0gPeA048Sx0 YouTube]: 9/11: BBC: Changing of the Guard - The Star Spangled Banner

*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0gPeA048Sx0 YouTube]: 9/11: BBC: Changing of the Guard - The Star Spangled Banner

*[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mQOQWAKnB1Q YouTube]: 9/11 Coldstream Guards Play Star Spangled Banner  

*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mQOQWAKnB1Q YouTube]: 9/11 Coldstream Guards Play Star Spangled Banner  

*[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QKCVS57j284 The Cactus Cuties] - A stirring rendition of the "Star-Spangled Banner" by 5 little girls

*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QKCVS57j284 The Cactus Cuties] - A stirring rendition of the "Star-Spangled Banner" by 5 little girls

{{DEFAULTSORT:Star-Spangled Banner, The}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Star-Spangled Banner, The}}

[[Category:National Anthem]]

[[Category:National Anthem]]

[[Category:Patriotic Songs]]

[[Category:Patriotic Songs]]

[[Category:United States]]

[[Category:United States of America]]