Star Spangled Banner

"The Star-Spangled Banner" is the national anthem of the United States. The lyrics come from the "Defense of Fort McHenry" 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. Key was inspired by the large U.S. flag, known as the Star Spangled Banner, flying triumphantly above the fort after the battle despite multiple attempts to destroy it throughout the night. As the flag has changed and more stars have been added to represent new states, the anthem has remained the same.

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