Others objected to ‘The Star-Spangled Banner’ because the music was not written by an American. First, some believed that it was inappropriate for the nation to adopt as its National Anthem a song derived from an English drinking tune-especially after January 19, 1920, when Prohibition went into effect. In his book, Flag: An American Biography, historian Marc Leepson writes: “The legislation did not succeed for several reasons. Over the next 20 years, Congress considered more than 40 bills concerning the anthem, all of which went nowhere.
It wasn’t until around 1910 that some members of Congress started introducing resolutions or legislation to make the song the official National Anthem of the United States. Army and Navy used “The Star-Spangled Banner” as their official anthem, but it was not popular on a national scale. Road to Adoptionīeginning in 1890, the U.S. Inspired by what he saw, Key wrote the poem “Defence of Fort McHenry,” which became known as “The Star-Spangled Banner.” The poem would be set to a popular melody at the time, “To Anacreon in Heaven,” a British drinking song. At dawn the next day, Key saw the American flag still being flown over Fort McHenry, which meant that the British had not captured it and the Battle of Baltimore had been won by the United States. After negotiations were concluded he was not allowed to leave because the British feared he would compromise their position.įorced to spend the night aboard an enemy ship, Key watched and heard the bombing of Fort McHenry. On September 13, 1814, Key was aboard the British ship HMS Tonnant negotiating a prisoner release. Francis Scott Key, an American lawyer and amateur poet, wrote the poem that would become the anthem after the Battle of Baltimore during the War of 1812. Origin of the Anthemīy now, the story of the song’s origins is widely known. Not everyone was a fan of the song at the time and today many believe it contains racist overtones. On March 3, 1931, President Herbert Hoover signed the law that would officially designate “The Star-Spangled Banner” as America’s National Anthem. May we come to give half as much.Every American is familiar with “The Star-Spangled Banner.” Some may even be able to sing it or at least get through “O say can you see, by the dawn’s early light….” Today we honor them and reflect upon the magnitude of what they have given. In our campaigns, we seek to build dignity, and we seek to build friendship – for lasting peace, and for the furtherance of freedom.įor those who've taken oaths to leave the comfort of home and the embrace of family to partake in that dangerous but noble work, we are truly indebted. Ours is the first nation in the history of the world that goes to war only to defend and to liberate-never to conquer. The American people are unmatched in their willingness to sacrifice for the freedom of others. And they are supported by families who carry their burden of service with them. They comprise our Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Marine Corps, and Navy. Today is all about those men and women - the ones who have volunteered to give their all, if that is what is asked of them, for our country. And the freedom of which he speaks is only possible because of the brave men and women throughout our history who have answered our country's call to serve in her defense. On this Veterans Day, the thanks of a grateful nation is with all of America's uniformed servicemembers, past and present, and with their families.Ī famous William Harvard quote reads, “The greatest glory of a free-born people is to transmit that freedom to their children.” He is right. "This nation will remain the land of the free only so long as it is the home of the brave."
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