The related lesson, history of the starspangled banner, goes into greater detail about the history of the u. Francis scott key intended his verses to be song lyrics. Marc ferriss lively account, which traces the evolution of the songs instant popularity as well as its use and abuse by americans of. The story behind the star spangled banner history smithsonian. The starspangled banner would be a great book to introduce children to our nations national anthem. The starspangled as our anthem, this and many other little know facts make. Fascinating facts about francis scott key, the writing of what would become americas. Filled with fascinating, littleknown facts drawn from a variety of primary sources, starspangled banner provides the first narrative history of this controversial song, which turns 200 years old in 2014. David barton gives the true story behind our national anthem. Only a few weeks after the british burned washington d. The starspangled banner is the national anthem of the united states.
New book reveals dark history behind the star spangled banner. The song was originally written as a poem by young american lawyer francis. Shakespeare wrote the phrase by spangled starlight sheen a midsummer nights dream and what stars do spangle heaven with such beauty. The banner the poet francis scott key described a giant flag that flew over fort mchenry in baltimore. The starspangled banner is the national anthem of the united.
By the time the song officially became the countrys anthem in 1931, it had been one of americas most popular. The surviving handwritten final draft of keys lyric is held by the maryland historical society. On september 14, 1814, francis scott key pens a poem which is later set to music and in 1931 becomes americas national anthem, the starspangled. The starspangled banner has changed a lot in 200 years. The book could be used in an introduction in a music class where the students can look at pictures while the words are being read to them. He wrote the poem after watching british ships bombard fort mchenry in chesapeake bay during the war of 1812. Also displayed is a drawing of his first sight of fort mchenry. The starspangled banner is a symbol of american history that ranks with the statue of liberty and the charters of freedom, says brent d. This is turn will make it more meaningful for all the children in the classroom. Take a closer look at the original star spangled banner. The starspangled banner is the national anthem of the united states of america, but it hasnt always been that way. This songs lyrics originated as a poem written in 1814 titled defence of fort mchenry written by francis scott key. Star spangled banner facts for kids american history for.
A nearly 200yearold copy of the star spangled banner set to hit the auction block famed sheet music one of 11 known copies of francis scott. The starspangled banner is the official national anthem of the united states. Here are 10 surprising facts about our national anthem, and the flag that inspired it. The actual starspangled banner was hidden away during wwii. Behind keys words lay a melody the socalled anacreontic song. Anyone with united states currency in his or her pocket or purse is carrying around a paraphrase of a line in the fourth verse of the starspangled banner, in god. For starspangled banner, a long road from song to anthem. Francis scott key drafted the starspangled banner on. Francis scott key, a 35yearold lawyer and budding poet from washington, d. Most americans are familiar with the story of how our national anthem, the starspangled banner, came to be.
New book reveals dark history behind the star spangled banner author and historian marc leepson joins cbs this morning. The starspangled banner the war of 1812 between the americans and british lasted for three years. The first comprehensive history of americas controversial national anthem and. There was nothing obligatory about the early history of the starspangled banner. The united states national anthem is the star spangled banner. On the bicentennial of the starspangled banner, learn surprising facts about the national anthem and the man who wrote its lyrics. The original starspangled banner, the flag that inspired francis scott key to write the song that would become the us national anthem, lies horizontally at a. Francis scott key pens the starspangled banner history. National museum of american history has thirteen starspangled banner fragments in its collections. History facts about the star spangled banner history. And the starspangled banner marched along with the flag as a song that more americans felt captured the spirit of the country with a sense of.
The starspangled banner meet your next favorite book. The true story of mary pickersgill and the starspangled banner by hartland, jessie and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. Saturday to discuss his book what so proudly we hailed, which looks at. Separating fact from fiction about the starspangled banner. The poem was later set to music written by john stafford smith that had accompanied a british song.
Musicologists examine the history of the starspangled banner, discussing how the song has. The starspangled banner museum of american history. How the flag that flew proudly over fort mchenry inspired an anthem and made its way to the smithsonian. Its author, francis scott key, drafted it after he witnessed the american flag still waving after a night of. Heres a refresher course on the history of the star spangled banner. Our flag was still there the story of the star spangled banner. Humorist richard armour referred to the songs difficulty in his book it all started with columbus. National star spangled banner centennial baltimore. During the war of 1812 in addition to the british operations on the canadian frontier, the british tried to capture new orleans and the cities on chesapeake bay. This star spangled banner pictorial on antiqued parchment includes a replica of the star spangled banner in francis scott keys handwriting. On august 24, 1814 the british had entered washington where they burned the capitol, the white house, and. Francis scott key wrote the words to it in 1814 after seeing british ships attacking fort mchenry in.
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