The Importance of a National Anthem, Especially The Star Spangled Banner

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National anthem is one of the important aspect in a sovereign state beside territory and flag. It is not just a song about the country, but within the compostion itself, there are stories and facts that is also as important as the state’s history. Rabaseda (2012) define national anthem as a musical composition, patriotic in general, that evokes and tells the history and the struggle of the people in a particular state. It is mostly used during a national important day and military honours. National anthem also serve as an important identity and unifying factor as a country. One of the well-known national anthem is “The Star - Spangled Banner”, which is the national anthem of United States of America (USA). The history behind the anthem can be traced back to 1812. Back then, United States of America had already its independence of the British Empire. Not even three decades after the signing of the Treaty of Paris, which formalized Britain’s recognition of the United States of America, the two countries were again in conflict and became the beginning of new challenges for America as a new nation. Resentment for Britain’s interference with American international trade and impressment of American sailors combined with American expansionist visions led Congress to declare war on British Empire on June 18, 1812. The war took place throughout the East Coast of the United States (Perry, 2000). At that time, Washington lawyer and amateur poet named Francis Scott Key. He made a poem about how terrible the war was, especially during the attack of the Fort McHenry. The fort still stand after it had been fired continuously by the British Empire. After witnessing the massive overnight British bombardment of Fort McHenry in Maryland, Key wro... ... middle of paper ... ...ld their people about the nation’s perseverance and struggle in order to achieve their independence. This goes the same with the American national anthem. It was telling about one of the American war against British empire in order to defend their independence Works Cited Butterworth, Hezekiah; Brown, Theron (1906). The Story of the Hymns and Tunes. George H. Doran Co. p. 335 Leonard, H., 1996. National Anthems From Around the World, New York: Hal Leonard Company. p 210-216 Perry, M, 2000. National Anthems: A Call to Arms. Available at: http://users.dickinson.edu/~history/product/perry/national_anthem.html Accessed: 18th March 2014 Rabaseda, J. (1996) Els himnes nacionals. Published February, 2012. Rosenberg, J. 2005. Star-Spangled Banner History. Available at: http://history1900s.about.com/od/1930s/qt/The-Star-Spangled-Banner.htm. Accessed: 18th March 2014

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