National Anthem of the USA: The Star-Spangled Banner

"The Star-Spangled Banner" is the national anthem of the United States. The lyrics come from "Defence of Fort McHenry", a poem written on September 14, 1814, by the then 35-year-old lawyer and amateur poet Francis Scott Key after witnessing the bombardment of Fort McHenry by British ships of the Royal Navy in Baltimore Harbor during the Battle of Baltimore in the War of 1812. Key was inspired by the large U.S. flag, with 15 stars and 15 stripes, known as the Star-Spangled Banner, flying triumphantly above the fort during the U.S. victory.

The poem was set to the tune of a popular British song written by John Stafford Smith for the Anacreontic Society, a men's social club in London. "To Anacreon in Heaven" (or "The Anacreontic Song"), with various lyrics, was already popular in the United States. Set to Key's poem and renamed "The Star-Spangled Banner", it soon became a well-known U.S. patriotic song. With a range of 19 semitones, it is known for being very difficult to sing. Although the poem has four stanzas, only the first is commonly sung today.

"The Star-Spangled Banner" was recognized for official use by the United States Navy in 1889, and by U.S. President Woodrow Wilson in 1916, and was made the national anthem by a congressional resolution on March 3, 1931, which was signed by President Herbert Hoover.

Before 1931, other songs served as the hymns of U.S. officialdom. "Hail, Columbia" served this purpose at official functions for most of the 19th century. "My Country, 'Tis of Thee", whose melody is identical to "God Save the Queen", the United Kingdom's national anthem, also served as a de facto national anthem. Following the War of 1812 and subsequent U.S. wars, other songs emerged to compete for popularity at public events, among them "America the Beautiful".

Happy 4th of July!

FRANÇAIS : The Star-Spangled Banner (en français : « La Bannière étoilée ») est l’hymne national des États-Unis. Le poème qui constitue le texte de l'hymne fut écrit par Francis Scott Key, paru en 1814. Avocat de 35 ans et poète amateur, Key l'a écrit après avoir assisté, pendant la guerre anglo-américaine de 1812, au bombardement du fort McHenry à Baltimore, dans le Maryland, par des navires britanniques de la Royal Navy entrés dans la baie de Chesapeake. Le texte rend hommage à la résistance héroïque de ceux qui défendirent le fort et qui furent en mesure de faire flotter le drapeau américain au sommet en dépit de l'acharnement de l'ennemi à y planter le sien.

[Brian_i]

Every morning an American wakes up sings this, eats their sweet taste of freedom, salutes the flag and pets their *bald eagle*

[sweebystpu]

My account got liberated after watching this

[AlphaHadif]

What a emotional anthem... Greeting from Malaysia 🇲🇾🤝🏽🇺🇲

[bentheswitchsportsfan]

Nice to see a lot of people from other countries showing some love to our beautiful anthem! 🇺🇸❤🌎🌍🌏

[rewardunkind]

King George and his army probably disliked this

[hardtarget]

I am a filipino and i love my country as well as our national anthem but American national anthem hits differently.Such majestic tune! But for what it’s worth, America have always been our big brother. My thanks. GOD BLESS AMERICA

[Anton-]

🇷🇺🤝🇺🇸 The USA has a very powerful and truly patriotic anthem. I have been to the USA three times, it is a very beautiful country. Greetings from Russia.

[anarchink]

The clip with the statue of liberty...OMG so powerful, respect from the Italian Parliamentary Republic 🇮🇹🇪🇺

[goutamsadhukhan]

Love The USA National Anthem. I want to visit this country atleast for one time. Love From India 🇮🇳🇺🇲

[dericrocker]

I heard the voices and patriotism deep down the lyrics and music of the anthem... it felt so great as if the anthem told the nation's history to anyone listening it.

First time been to the USA two weeks ago. Was feeling so pleased and welcomed especially to note that the impromptu greeting cultures to one another even strangers we were..❤❤

Love from Malaysia

[elwinberg]

I am one of the few ones in Europe who are very grateful to what you guys did for us in ww2 and a bit in ww1. You saved us many times and especially in Normandy❤️🇺🇲

[ukundayouthpolytechnic]

I love the American anthem, one of the most beautiful and truly patriotic anthems across the world

[DarkAssssin]

Greetings to all of our brothers from Chile, the USA, the world's superpower.
May God bless America and Chile.
🇨🇱❤️🇺🇲

[gangster]

The patriots defending Fort McHenry died on their feet to keep the flag aloft and flying. After the battle, Francis Scott Key penned the most beautiful anthem the world has known. Respect from Canada

[Jorgegsca]

I'm from Brazil, but I think it's beautiful and I love the American national anthem, it's one of my favorites, in addition to the beautiful places in this incredible country. Greetings from Brazil! ❤

[towarzyszherbata]

Arab kid: I found oil!
America: Hello there

[scarlettcarrillo]

This is making me sad 😔 😢and crying 😭 love ❤️ from Finland 🇫🇮 and Ukraine 🇺🇦

[juliuscaesar]

Happy 4th of July! God bless America: great country of great peoples! 🇧🇾♥🇺🇸

[mrstealyogirl]

The ending of the flag raising of Iwo Jima was just beautiful 🇺🇸🇺🇸

[kianandreibinag]

We love America from the Philippines! 🇵🇭❤️🇺🇸