"The Star-Spangled Banner" is known by all, treasured for its powerful melody and stirring lyrics. And yet, only about 40% of U.S. citizens know all the words. And even fewer know their meaning. Join us as we travel back to 1814, when Washington D.C. was under British attack during the "Second War of Independence," and the very bricks and mortar of American democracy were reduced to smoking rubble. We examine the battle that inspired witness Francis Scott Key to immortalize its final moments, then reveal how his poem transformed into an anthem.
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Explore the "broad stripes and bright stars" that inspired Francis Scott Key to write a song that eventually became the United States national anthem.
EXPLORE MORE AT SMITHSONIAN'S NATIONAL MUSUEM OF AMERICAN HISTORYExplore the "broad stripes and bright stars" that inspired Francis Scott Key to write a song that eventually became the United States national anthem.
EXPLORE MORE AT SMITHSONIAN'S NATIONAL MUSUEM OF AMERICAN HISTORYWas the national anthem really set to the melody of a drinking tune? Take a closer look at the original manuscript of Francis Scott Key's song.
READ MORE AT SMITHSONIAN MAGAZINEWas the national anthem really set to the melody of a drinking tune? Take a closer look at the original manuscript of Francis Scott Key's song.
READ MORE AT SMITHSONIAN MAGAZINE
