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"My Country, 'Tis of Thee", also known as simply "America", is an American patriotic song, the lyrics of which were written by Samuel Francis Smith. [2] The song served as one of the de facto national anthems of the United States (along with songs like "Hail, Columbia") before the adoption of "The Star-Spangled Banner" as the official U.S. national anthem in 1931. [3]
"The Star-Spangled Banner" is the national anthem of the United States. The lyrics come from the "Defence of Fort M'Henry", [2] a poem written by American lawyer Francis Scott Key on September 14, 1814, after he witnessed the bombardment of Fort McHenry by the British Royal Navy during the Battle of Baltimore in the War of 1812.
In 1814, Francis Scott Key wrote the poem "Defence of Fort M'Henry" (later re-titled, "The Star-Spangled Banner") which was later set to the tune of "Anacreon", a piece composed by Smith. The US Congress officially designated this song as the US national anthem in 1931. [8]
Detail from the first sheet music publication of "The Star-Spangled Banner" (Thomas Carr, 1814). Note the F-sharp in the melody. The song, through its bawdy lyrics, gained popularity in London and elsewhere beyond the Anacreontic Society. New lyrics were also fashioned for it, including several patriotic titles in the United States.
Francis Scott Key (August 1, 1779 – January 11, 1843) [3] was an American lawyer, author, and poet from Frederick, Maryland, best known as the author of the text of the American national anthem "The Star-Spangled Banner". [4] Key observed the British bombardment of Fort McHenry in 1814 during the War of 1812.
Performances of "The Star-Spangled Banner" became a formality at sporting events in the late 1940s after World War II when NFL Commissioner Elmer Layden required them before kickoff at games.
Title: Star-Spangled Banner, The (Version II) (ca. 1940s) Summary: Technicolor image of American flag flying accompanied by words and music of U.S. national anthem.
On Wednesday, Loomis opened a debate held by the Free & Equal Elections Foundation, featuring third-party candidates, with a rendition of the Star-Spangled Banner.