What is a minute and a half long and notoriously hard to sing? It’s the subject of March 3rd, the day to recognize our National Anthem. We hear it at the beginning of sporting events at all levels and in so many other places. Some versions on major stages do it great honor, others are purposely tanked as though The Star-Spangled Banner is a joke. But it remains, just like our Flag, a symbol of our great nation that should be respected and revered.
Many know that Francis Scott Key was inspired to write a poem that was later put to music at the Battle of Fort McHenry during the War of 1812. What is lesser known is that he and John Stuart Skinner were actually aboard enemy ships during that famous barrage. They had travelled to meet with British leaders to discuss a prisoner swap and potential peace deals and were kept captive by the British who were fearful that they had overheard battle plans. This was on September 14th, 1814.
The actual Star-Spangled Banner he spoke of in the poem was also very unique for the time. The flag flying over Fort McHenry was actually comprised of 15 stars and 15 stripes, instead of the traditional 13 stripes. This flag is still in existence today, having been restored twice.
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