What inspired Francis Scott Key to write the Star Spangled Banner?
Star-Spangled Banner (flag) Seeing the flag during the battle inspired Francis Scott Key to write the poem " Defence of Fort M'Henry ", which, retitled with the flag's name from the closing lines of the first stanza and set to the tune of ". To Anacreon in Heaven " by John Stafford Smith, later became the national anthem of the United States .
Where is the original Star-Spangled Banner?
The original Star-Spangled Banner, the flag that inspired Francis Scott Key to write the song that would become our national anthem, is among the most treasured artifacts in the collections of the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History in Washington, D.C. Fifteen stars and fifteen stripes (one star has been cut out)
Where can I see the flag that inspired the national anthem?
The Smithsonian has created a permanent exhibition to document the flag's history and significance, called "The Star-Spangled Banner: The Flag that Inspired the National Anthem". Visitors are allowed a clear view of the flag, while it remains protected in a controlled environment.
How was the Star Spangled Banner made?
The Flag's Beginnings. The Star-Spangled Banner's history starts not with Francis Scott Key, but a year earlier with Maj. George Armistead, the commander of Fort McHenry. Knowing that his fort was a likely British target, Armistead told the commander of Baltimore defenses in July 1813 that he needed a flag—a big one.
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What flag inspired the national anthem?
On September 14, 1814, U.S. soldiers at Baltimore's Fort McHenry raised a huge American flag to celebrate a crucial victory over British forces during the War of 1812. The sight of those “broad stripes and bright stars” inspired Francis Scott Key to write a song that eventually became the United States national anthem.
What inspired the Star Spangled Banner?
The U.S. national anthem and the flag that inspired it are legacies of the War of 1812. British forces gathered to attack Baltimore in September 1814. After a 25-hour bombardment of Fort McHenry, they failed to penetrate Baltimore's defenses and withdrew.
Where is the Fort McHenry flag today?
the Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of American HistoryIt inspired him to write the words to "The Star-Spangled Banner." Today this flag is displayed in the Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of American History, Washington, D.C. The smaller storm flag, which many historians believe was the flag that flew during the rainy bombardment, has been lost to history.
Was Francis Scott Key inspired by the US flag?
Key was inspired by the sight of a lone U.S. flag still flying over Fort McHenry at daybreak, as reflected in the now-famous words of the “Star-Spangled Banner”: “And the rocket's red glare, the bombs bursting in air, Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there.”
What is the forgotten verse of The Star-Spangled Banner?
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave? Where the foe's haughty host in dread silence reposes, What is that which the breeze, o'er the towering steep, As it fitfully blows, half conceals, half discloses?
Did bodies hold up the flag at Fort McHenry?
To the best of our knowledge, the British did not specifically target the flag. There were about 25 American casualties. Bodies of the dead were not used to hold up the flag pole — a 42 by 30 foot flag has to be on a well-anchored pole, not held up by a few dead bodies stacked around it.
What was America's first flag?
Grand Union The first (unofficial) national flag of the United States. It was raised in 1776 to celebrate the official status of the newly formed Continental Army by General George Washington, whose camp was then in Cambridge. Also known as the Cambridge Flag or Continental Colors.
What is the biggest American flag?
The largest flag still resides at 402 Lime Avenue in Long Beach, California, and it still has national renown. Demski was featured in the George W.
Does Fort McHenry still exist?
Today Fort McHenry is still the only National Park Service unit, out of 421 units, with the designation of being a “Historic Shrine.”
Who invented the national anthem?
Francis Scott KeyThis 15-star flag, the Star-Spangled Banner that inspired Francis Scott Key's poem, has been carefully preserved. Today it hangs in the National Museum of American History in Washington, D.C. Francis Scott Key penned four verses to “The Star-Spangled Banner.” Only the first verse is sung at most occasions.
How many stars did the flag flying over Fort McHenry have?
15 stars and 15American flag with the 15 stars and 15 stripes flown over Fort McHenry during the War of 1812 and inspired the writing of the National Anthem, The Star Spangled Banner.
Where is the original Betsy Ross flag?
The original Betsy Ross Flag no longer exists but you can see a replica at the Betsy Ross House in Philadelphia, Pa. This landmark also offers educational programs for the entire family and serves as headquarters for Philadelphia's Flag Day celebrations.
What does The Star-Spangled Banner symbolize?
Before the war, Americans rarely used the flag to express patriotism. But the flag's appearance over Fort McHenry during the Battle for Baltimore and Francis Scott Key's poem “The Star-Spangled Banner” inspired the public. After the war, the flag was often displayed as a symbol of national pride and unity.
What was the main idea of The Star-Spangled Banner?
Like so many famous songs of yore, "The Star-Spangled Banner" started as a poem, called “The Defence of Fort McHenry.” It was written by Francis Scott Key in 1814 during the War of 1812. The stanzas recount the Battle of Baltimore, a days-long siege between British and American forces.
What is the main purpose of the national anthem?
The national anthem, like other national symbols of a country, represents the tradition, history, and beliefs of a nation and its people. Hence, it helps evoke feelings of patriotism among the country's citizens and reminds them of their nation's glory, beauty, and rich heritage.
What is the meaning of The Star-Spangled Banner?
“The Star-Spangled Banner” The National Anthem of the United States. Francis Scott Key wrote the words during the War of 1812, when he saw the flag of the United States still flying over Fort McHenry, Maryland, after a night of attack by British troops. The tune is from a British popular song of the day.
Where is the Star Spangled Banner?
The Star-Spangled Banner, or the Great Garrison Flag, was the garrison flag that flew over Fort McHenry in Baltimore Harbor during the naval portion of the Battle of Baltimore during the War of 1812. It is on exhibit at the National Museum of American History, Smithsonian Institution.
How was the Star Spangled Banner restored?
Due to environmental and light damage, a four-phase restoration project began in May 1999. In the first phase, the team removed the linen support backing that was attached to the flag during the 1914 restoration. The second phase consisted of the most comprehensive, detailed examination of the condition and construction of the Star-Spangled Banner to date, which provided critical information for later work. This included scientific studies with infrared spectrometry, electron microscopy, mechanical testing, and determination of amino acid content by a New Zealand scientist, and infrared imaging by a NASA scientist. Planning and executing a cleaning treatment for the flag following scientific analysis was the third phase. In the fourth and final phase of the project, curators, scientists, and conservators developed a long-term preservation plan. The restoration was completed in 2008 at a total cost in excess of $21 million.
What was the flag that flew over Fort McHenry?
Star-Spangled Banner (flag) Flag that flew over Fort McHenry in 1814, photographed in 1873 in the Boston Navy Yard by George Henry Preble. The Star-Spangled Banner, or the Great Garrison Flag, was the garrison flag that flew over Fort McHenry in Baltimore Harbor during the naval portion of the Battle of Baltimore during the War of 1812.
What museum has the American flag?
Smithsonian National Museum of American History. In addition to the original flag on display, the Smithsonian also features pieces from the flag that had been snipped off over the years as patriotic mementos. The flag that flew during that episode in history became a significant artifact.
What was the name of the poem that the Garrison flag was flying?
When he saw the Garrison Flag still flying at the dawn of the morning of the 14th, he composed a poem he originally titled "Defence of Fort McHenry". The poem would be put to the music of a common tune, retitled " The Star-Spangled Banner ", and a portion of it would later be adopted as the United States National Anthem.
Where is the American flag today?
Eben Appleton, Colonel Armistead's grandson, inherited the flag in 1878. In 1907, he lent it to the Smithsonian Institution, and in 1912 it was made a formal gift. Today it is permanently housed in the National Museum of American History, one of the Smithsonian Institution museums on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. The flag was given to the museum in 1912, and has undergone multiple restoration efforts after being originally restored by Amelia Fowler in 1914.
Which flag is larger, the Great Garrison or the Storm?
The larger of the two flags would be the Great Garrison Flag, the largest battle flag ever flown at the time. The smaller of the two flags would be the Storm Flag, to be more durable and less prone to fouling in inclement weather.
How many parts are there in the Star Spangled Banner?
The war, the flag, the song, and the legacy: the history of the Star-Spangled Banner is told in four parts. Explore an interactive flag in incredible detail and answer quiz questions correctly to get a special reward. Visit the website.
How old is the flag at the Battle of Baltimore?
Upon entering this exhibition, visitors are immersed in the Battle of Baltimore, which inspired Francis Scott Key to write his famous lyrics. The almost 200-year old, 30-by 34-foot flag is displayed in a special environmentally-controlled chamber.
When was the Star Spangled Banner invented?
A plaque displayed at Fort Meade, South Dakota, claims that the idea of making "The Star Spangled Banner" the national anthem began on their parade ground in 1892. Colonel Caleb Carlton, post commander, established the tradition that the song be played "at retreat and at the close of parades and concerts." Carlton explained the custom to Governor Sheldon of South Dakota who "promised me that he would try to have the custom established among the state militia." Carlton wrote that after a similar discussion, Secretary of War Daniel S. Lamont issued an order that it "be played at every Army post every evening at retreat."
Who introduced the Star Spangled Banner?
On April 10, 1918, John Charles Linthicum, U.S. congressman from Maryland, introduced a bill to officially recognize "The Star-Spangled Banner" as the national anthem. The bill did not pass. On April 15, 1929, Linthicum introduced the bill again, his sixth time doing so.
What is the national anthem of the United States?
help. " The Star-Spangled Banner " is the national anthem of the United States. The lyrics come from the " Defence of Fort M'Henry ", a poem written on September 14, 1814, by 35-year-old lawyer and amateur poet Francis Scott Key after witnessing the bombardment of Fort McHenry by British ships of the Royal Navy in Baltimore Harbor during ...
What is the national anthem?
National anthem. One of two surviving copies of the 1814 broadside printing of the "Defence of Fort M'Henry", a poem that later became the lyrics of "The Star-Spangled Banner", the national anthem of the United States.
When was the 200th anniversary of the Star Spangled Banner?
The 200th anniversary of the "Star-Spangled Banner" occurred in 2014 with various special events occurring throughout the United States. A particularly significant celebration occurred during the week of September 10–16 in and around Baltimore, Maryland. Highlights included playing of a new arrangement of the anthem arranged by John Williams and participation of President Barack Obama on Defender's Day, September 12, 2014, at Fort McHenry. In addition, the anthem bicentennial included a youth music celebration including the presentation of the National Anthem Bicentennial Youth Challenge winning composition written by Noah Altshuler.
Where is the original copy of the poem "Defence of Fort M'Henry"?
Francis Scott Key 's original manuscript copy of his "Defence of Fort M'Henry" poem. It is now on display at the Maryland Historical Society.
Who said "Believe it or not, America has no national anthem"?
On November 3, 1929, Robert Ripley drew a panel in his syndicated cartoon, Ripley's Believe it or Not!, saying "Believe It or Not, America has no national anthem". In 1930, Veterans of Foreign Wars started a petition for the United States to officially recognize "The Star-Spangled Banner" as the national anthem.
Who made the Star Spangled Banner?
The Star-Spangled Banner that waved triumphantly over Fort McHenry, September 13 and 14, 1814, and which inspired the immortal poem, was ordered made by Brigadier General John Strieker. The fort had undergone extensive repairs and as the garrison flag, then in use in the fort, was old and too small the soldiers and sailors of Baltimore desired a new one. This was made by Mrs. Mary Pickersgill, assisted by her daughter and two nieces, at her home in Baltimore. The flag was originally about forty feet long but this has been diminished by the battle, time and relic seekers. Each stripe measures nearly two feet in width, and the five pointed stars, two feet from point to point. The flag was made in sections, and because of its great length, it was found necessary to remove it to the loft of a neighboring brewery, in order to set in the canton with the stars. The making of the flag was begun about the middle of August. A piece of red cotton cloth on the third white stripe from the bottom is supposed to represent the initial of Major Armistead, commander of the fort. It was sewed on so hurriedly, before the flag went into action, that the cross bar of the letter was omitted. This flag among many others, has recently been put in a state of preservation by Mrs. Amelia Fowler of Boston.
When did the Star Spangled Banner become the official flag of the United States?
Star Spangled Banner Flag – 1795. This 15 Star and 15 Stripe flag know as the “ Star Spangled Banner flag ” became the Official United States Flag on May 1st, 1795. Two stars were added for the admission of Vermont (the 14th State on March 4th, 1791) and Kentucky (the 15th State on June 1st, 1792, and was to last for 23 years.
What happened on September 13 1814?
At 7 AM on the morning of September 13, 1814, the British bombardment began, and the flag was ready to meet the enemy. The bombardment continued for 25 hours, the British firing 1,500 bombshells that weighed as much as 220 pounds and carried lighted fuses that would supposedly cause it to explode when it reached its target. But they weren’t very dependable and often blew up in mid air. From special small boats the British fired the new Congreve rockets that traced wobbly arcs of red flame across the sky. The Americans had sunk 22 vessels so a close approach by the British was not possible. That evening the cannonading stopped, but at about 1 AM on the 14th, the British fleet roared to life, lighting the rainy night sky with grotesque fireworks. Key, Col. Skinner, and Dr. Beanes watched the battle with apprehension. They knew that as long as the shelling continued, Fort McHenry had not surrendered. But, long before daylight there came a sudden and mysterious silence. What the three Americans did not know was that the British land assault on Baltimore as well as the naval attack, had been abandoned. Judging Baltimore as being too costly a prize, the British officers ordered a retreat.
What flag was flying over Fort McHenry?
Francis Scott Key and the Star Spangled Banner flag flying over Fort McHenry.
How many presidents served under the Star Spangled Banner?
The five Presidents who served under the Star Spangled Banner flag were;
When did the 15 star flag come into effect?
The 15-star and 15-stripe flag was authorized by the Flag Act of January 13, 1794, adding 2 stripes and 2 Stars. The regulation went into effect on May 1, 1795. The Star Spangled Banner flag was the only U.S. Flag to have more than 13 stripes.
Who died in 1879 and left the flag to her son?
1879 – Georgiana Armistead Appleton died in 1879 and left the flag to her son Eben Appleton.
When was the Star Spangled Banner displayed?
The Star-Spangled Banner arrived at the Smithsonian on July 6, 1907, and was displayed and photographed at the Smithsonian Institution Building that same day. Courtesy of the National Museum of American History
Who sewed the Star Spangled Banner?
The Flag House in Baltimore, Maryland, is the 1793 home of Mary Pickersgill, the woman who sewed the Star-Spangled Banner. Eric Voboril, director of programs and collections at the Flag House, says, "Mary wasn't just a woman making a flag.
How long has the Star Spangled Banner been preserved?
Experts at the National Museum of American History recently completed an eight-year conservation treatment of the Star-Spangled Banner, which included removing a linen backing and cleaning the flag. The photo above shows a detail of the flag as it looks today.
How many children wore the red, white and blue flags at Fort McHenry?
On the 100th anniversary of the Battle of Baltimore, 6,500 children dressed in red, white and blue formed a living flag at Fort McHenry. Courtesy of the Flag House and Star-Spangled Banner Museum
When was the Star Spangled Banner moved to the National Museum of American History?
That changed after architects designed the new National Museum of History and Technology, now the National Museum of American History, with space to allow the flag to hang. The Star-Spangled Banner remained in Flag Hall from 1964 until 1999, when it was moved to the conservation lab.
Why did Francis Scott Key board the Chesapeake Bay?
A week earlier, Francis Scott Key, a 35-year-old American lawyer, had boarded the flagship of the British fleet on the Chesapeake Bay in hopes of persuading the British to release a friend who had recently been arrested. Key's tactics were successful, but because he and his companions had gained knowledge of the impending attack on Baltimore, the British did not let them go. They allowed the Americans to return to their own vessel but continued guarding them. Under their scrutiny, Key watched on September 13 as the barrage of Fort McHenry began eight miles away.
Where are the Star Spangled Banner cuttings?
Several of these cuttings from the Star-Spangled Banner have been located over the years, including about a dozen that are owned by the American History Museum . "We're aware of at least a dozen more that exist in other museums and private collections," says Kendrick.
The Making of the Star-Spangled Banner
The commander approved the request and Armistead went to work. He hired a 29-year-old widow and professional flag maker, Mary Young Pickersgill. The plans called for a flag measuring 30 by 42 feet. It was to have 15 stars and 15 stripes to represent each of the states at that time.
The Path of the Flag
The Armistead family ended up in possession of the Star-Spangled Banner. After Fort Henry’s commander died, his wife, Louisa, inherited it. Historians credit her with coming up with the idea of giving away pieces of the flag in her husband’s memory to soldiers who had defended the fort while serving under his command.
Overview
The Star-Spangled Banner, or the Great Garrison Flag, was the garrison flag that flew over Fort McHenry in Baltimore Harbor during the naval portion of the Battle of Baltimore during the War of 1812. It is on exhibit at the National Museum of American History, Smithsonian Institution. Seeing the flag flying over Fort McHenry on the morning of September 14, 1814, after the battle ended, Franci…
Description
The flag was stitched from a combination of cotton and dyed English wool bunting. It has fifteen horizontal red and white stripes, as well as fifteen white stars in the blue field. The two additional stars and stripes, approved by the United States Congress's Flag Act of 1794, represent Vermont and Kentucky's entrance into the Union. The stars are arranged in vertical rows, with five horizontal rows of stars, offset, each containing three stars. At the time, the practice of adding stripes (in a…
History
In Baltimore's preparation for an expected attack on the city, Fort McHenry was made ready to defend the city's harbor. When Major George Armistead, the fort's commander, expressed the desire for a very large flag to fly over the fort, General John S. Stricker and Commodore Joshua Barney placed an order for two oversized American flags. The larger of the two flags would be the Great Garri…
Smithsonian National Museum of American History
The flag that flew during that episode in history became a significant artifact. Today it is permanently housed in the National Museum of American History, one of the Smithsonian Institution museums on the National Mall in Washington, D.C.
In 1907, Eben Appleton lent the flag to the Smithsonian, and it was put on display at the National Museum (now the Arts and Industries Building). In 1912, Appleton formally donated it to the Smit…
Fragments
A 2-inch by 5-inch fragment of the flag—white and red, with a seam down the middle—was sold at auction in Dallas, Texas on November 30, 2011, for $38,837: the snippet was, presumably, cut from the famous flag as a souvenir in the mid-19th century. The framed remnant came with a faded, hand-written note attesting it was "A piece of the Flag which floated over Fort McHenry at the time of the bombardment when Key's (sic) composed the Song of the Star Spangled Banner, …
See also
• Flags of the United States
Notes
1. ^ Dictionary definition of "garrison flag" at www.merriam-webster.com
2. ^ Naval Telecommunications Procedures: Flags, Pennants, and Customs, August 1986, section 304, p. 3-1 at www.ushistory.org
3. ^ "Official U.S. Flag: 15-Star".
Further reading
• Scott S. Sheads (1989). Fort McHenry. Sequoia Press.
Overview
"The Star-Spangled Banner" is the national anthem of the United States. The lyrics come from the "Defence of Fort M'Henry", a poem written on September 14, 1814, by 35-year-old lawyer and amateur poet Francis Scott Key after witnessing the bombardment of Fort McHenry by British ships of the Royal Navy in Outer Baltimore Harbor in the Patapsco River during the Battle of Baltimore in the War …
Early history
Following the Burning of Washington and the Raid on Alexandria, Dr William Beanes, the elderly and popular town physician of Upper Marlboro and a friend of Key had been captured in his home on August 28, 1814. Beanes was accused of aiding the arrest of some British soldiers (stragglers withdrawing after the Washington campaign) who were pillaging homes.
Modern history
The song is notoriously difficult for nonprofessionals to sing because of its wide range – a twelfth. Humorist Richard Armour referred to the song's difficulty in his book It All Started With Columbus:
In an attempt to take Baltimore, the British attacked Fort McHenry, which protected the harbor. Bombs were soon bursting in air, rockets were glaring, a…
Lyrics
Eighteen years after Key's death, and in indignation over the start of the American Civil War, Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr. added a fifth stanza to the song in 1861, which appeared in songbooks of the era. This version appeared in some newspapers, such as an issue of the Seattle Republican which was published in 1912.
References in film, television, literature
Several films have their titles taken from the song's lyrics. These include two films titled Dawn's Early Light (2000 and 2005); two made-for-TV features titled By Dawn's Early Light (1990 and 2000); two films titled So Proudly We Hail (1943 and 1990); a feature film (1977) and a short (2005) titled Twilight's Last Gleaming; and four films titled Home of the Brave (1949, 1986, 2004, and 2006). A 1936 short titled The Song of a Nation from Warner Bros. Pictures shows a version of the origin o…
Customs and federal law
When the U.S. national anthem was first recognized by law in 1931, there was no prescription as to behavior during its playing. On June 22, 1942, the law was revised indicating that those in uniform should salute during its playing, while others should simply stand at attention, men removing their hats. The same code also required that women should place their hands over their hearts whe…
Translations
As a result of immigration to the United States and the incorporation of non-English-speaking people into the country, the lyrics of the song have been translated into other languages. In 1861, it was translated into German. The Library of Congress also has record of a Spanish-language version from 1919. It has since been translated into Hebrew and Yiddish by Jewish immigrants, Latin American Spanish (with one version popularized during immigration reform protests in 2006),
Protests
The 1968 Olympics Black Power salute was a political demonstration conducted by African-American athletes Tommie Smith and John Carlos during their medal ceremony at the 1968 Summer Olympics in the Olympic Stadium in Mexico City. After having won gold and bronze medals respectively in the 200-meter running event, they turned on the podium to face their flags, and to hear the American …