Birth of our National Anthem

No anthem ever written has a more historic, inspiring, and patriotic setting than "The Star-Spangled Banner," which was composed in 1814 when the United States and England were at war. After the British redcoats had burned Washington, the enemy moved on Baltimore, where the soldiers were to attack by land while a powerful British fleet formed for action off Fort McHenry, at the water gates of the city. All during the night of September 13-14, 1814, the entire fleet concentrated its fire on the fort, from whose flagpole flew the Star-Spangled Banner. Francis Scott Key, from the District of Columbia, was held as a captive on one of the British warships. As the battle raged throughout the night, in silence and darkness he paced the deck of the ship, wondering whether the flag he had seen when the fight began was still flying over the fort. It was for him a harrowing night. At 8 am the attack ended. At last came the break of day. With strained, eager eyes, through the early-morning mist, he saw that the flag was still there. In patriotic exultation Francis Scott Key, writing on an envelope he had found in his pocket, poured out of his soul the inspiring words of "The Star-Spangled Banner," which later were set to music. Thus the song went forth to sing itself into the hearts of the living generation and of generations to come.

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