Who wrote The Star Spangled Banner?

The Star-Spangled Banner was written by Francis Scott Key, an American lawyer and amateur poet. He composed the lyrics in September 1814 during the War of 1812 after witnessing the British bombardment of Fort McHenry in Baltimore Harbor. Key had boarded a British ship to negotiate the release of an American prisoner. At dawn on September 14, he saw that the American flag was still flying over Fort McHenry, signaling the fort had not fallen. Inspired by the sight, he wrote a poem originally titled "Defence of Fort M'Henry," which was later set to music and became The Star-Spangled Banner.

What do the lyrics of The Star-Spangled Banner mean?

The lyrics describe the American defense of Fort McHenry during the Battle of Baltimore. Phrases like "the rockets' red glare" and "the bombs bursting in air" refer to the British artillery assault. At its core, the song is about perseverance and national resilience — the repeated question "O say does that star-spangled banner yet wave?" expresses uncertainty during battle, while the answer at dawn affirms survival and independence. Although four verses were written, only the first is typically sung today.

When was The Star-Spangled Banner written?

The Star-Spangled Banner was written on September 14, 1814, following the overnight bombardment of Fort McHenry. The lyrics were first published in a Baltimore newspaper on September 20, 1814, and were soon set to the tune of a popular British song, "To Anacreon in Heaven." More than a century later, in 1931, Congress officially designated The Star-Spangled Banner as the national anthem of the United States.

How old is The Star-Spangled Banner?

Written in 1814, The Star-Spangled Banner is over 210 years old. It did not become the official national anthem until March 3, 1931, when Congress passed legislation recognizing it as such and President Herbert Hoover signed it into law. Today it remains one of the most recognizable national symbols of the United States, regularly performed at public events, government ceremonies, and sporting events.

'The Star-Spangled Banner'

Overview

"The Star-Spangled Banner" is the national anthem of the United States. The song is based on a poem written by Francis Scott Key, who watched American troops hold off British forces at the Battle of Baltimore during the War of 1812. Written in 1814, in the battle's immediate aftermath, the original poem borrowed a melody from a popular British song of the time.

Over the next century, "The Star-Spangled Banner" grew popular among Americans and, in 1931, President Herbert Hoover signed a bill that finally designated it the national anthem. Soon after, other sports leagues made the performance a regular pregame feature.

It's now an American tradition for artists to put their own spin on the song. Likewise, some athletes have used media coverage of the pregame ritual to protest US policy. The song is still popular, with Americans overwhelmingly saying they would not prefer a change.

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Common Questions

: The Star-Spangled Banner was written by Francis Scott Key, an American lawyer and amateur poet. He composed the lyrics in September 1814 during the War of 1812 after witnessing the British bombardment of Fort McHenry in Baltimore Harbor. Key had boarded a British ship to negotiate the release of an American prisoner. At dawn on September 14, he saw that the American flag was still flying over Fort McHenry, signaling the fort had not fallen. Inspired by the sight, he wrote a poem originally titled "Defence of Fort M'Henry," which was later set to music and became The Star-Spangled Banner.
: The lyrics describe the American defense of Fort McHenry during the Battle of Baltimore. Phrases like "the rockets' red glare" and "the bombs bursting in air" refer to the British artillery assault. At its core, the song is about perseverance and national resilience — the repeated question "O say does that star-spangled banner yet wave?" expresses uncertainty during battle, while the answer at dawn affirms survival and independence. Although four verses were written, only the first is typically sung today.
: The Star-Spangled Banner was written on September 14, 1814, following the overnight bombardment of Fort McHenry. The lyrics were first published in a Baltimore newspaper on September 20, 1814, and were soon set to the tune of a popular British song, "To Anacreon in Heaven." More than a century later, in 1931, Congress officially designated The Star-Spangled Banner as the national anthem of the United States.
: Written in 1814, The Star-Spangled Banner is over 210 years old. It did not become the official national anthem until March 3, 1931, when Congress passed legislation recognizing it as such and President Herbert Hoover signed it into law. Today it remains one of the most recognizable national symbols of the United States, regularly performed at public events, government ceremonies, and sporting events.

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