American National Anthem

George Armistead was a major in the U.S. army during the War of 1812. On June 13, 1813 Major Armistead arrived in Baltimore to take command of Fort McHenry (Parrish). Armistead contacted Mary Pickersgill, a Baltimore flag maker, to sew two American flags (“History of the American National Anthem”). The larger flag became known as “The Star-Spangled Banner.” A gifted poet by the name of Francis Scott Key spectated the battle from the top of a hill (“History of the American National Anthem”). As he was watching the battle, he began to get an idea. He wrote the first verse of a song on the back of a letter. Back in Baltimore, he completed the four verses and copied them onto a sheet of paper (“History of the American National Anthem”). Key went to a local printer to issue the new song. Historians estimated it to be printed in Baltimore around September of 1814 (“History of the American National Anthem”). From there, “The Star-Spangled Banner” became one of the nation’s most-loved patriotic songs and shows a significant symbol for the United States.

The National Anthem symbolizes one of the key moments in history. It started during the War of 1812 (Parrish). In the early stages of the war, the American Navy scored victories in the Atlantic and on Lake Erie while Britain concentrated its military efforts on its war with France (“Life During Wartime”). But with the defeat of Napoleon’s armies in 1814, Britain turned its attention to the war against the United States (“Life During Wartime”). Several months later, the most important battle just began. This battle was known as the Battle of Baltimore (“Life During Wartime”). The Americans were defending the Port of Baltimore from the British. The British Navy then unleashed a barrage of c...

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... uproar around the nation when he strummed a blues-style rendition of the song at in Detroit at the Tiger’s Stadium before game five of the 1968 World Series, between Detroit and St. Louis. Performances at particularly large events are often ended with a military fly past (“History of the American National Anthem”). During ceremonies, the Army and Navy play the National Anthem in respect for the men and women who passed away fighting for the country. Museums have started funding to conserve the flag and song (Parrish). It is still in process to conserve it. The conservations of the new flag can be seen at the Smithsonian Institute (Parrish). Conservers are working to refresh the United States Star-Spangled Banner Flag (Parrish). When someone hears the word patriotic, the first idea should be “The Star-Spangled Banner” as it is America’s most famous patriotic symbol.