facts behind the star spangled banner song

However, he later renamed the song to The Star-Spangled Banner so that it better reflected the American flag. Key originally chose this name because of Fort McHenry’s significance during the Battle of Baltimore. #3) It Was Originally Called The Defense of Fort McHenryīefore it was known as The Star-Spangled Banner, the song was called The Defense of Fort McHenry. From the ship, he was able to watch as Fort McHenry came under siege.

Key was actually taken hostage aboard a British ship. During the Battle of Baltimore, Key watched as the American flag flew triumphantly amidst the massive volley of cannonballs. The Star-Spangled Banner, of course, is a direct reference to the American Flag. In 1814, American lawyer Francis Scott Key wrote The Star-Spangled Banner after observing a battle between British ships and the Continental Army during the Battle of Baltimore. You might be surprised to learn that The Star-Spangled Banner was written by a lawyer. Even if you’re familiar with its lyrics, though, there are probably some things you don’t know about The Star-Spangled Banner. As the national anthem, it’s played at sports events, schools, military bases and other locations.

Ripley, meanwhile, pointed out that Lindy was actually the 67th man to do what he did, so maybe we should all slow our collective rolls.The Star-Spangled Banner is one of the most iconic songs in the United States. Lindbergh had just made a nonstop, solo flight across the Atlantic and was being lauded as a hero. But it didn't really hit the big time until 1927 when Ripley did the unthinkable: he called out Charles Lindbergh as a liar. In 1924, it was picked up for syndication by the Associated Press and started gaining even more eyeballs. Originally started as a sports trivia comic, Ripley's Believe It or Not did fine for its first few years. Just how, exactly, did a single-panel comic – one, by the way, that's still running today – change actual American policy? Through persistence, pedantry, and pissing off just about everyone. Public Domain Back when being outraged took actual time and postage. Despite Francis Scott Key first writing the 'The Star-Spangled Banner' in 1814, and despite its patriotic popularity during the Wars Civil and World I, it didn't officially become America's song until 1931 – two years after Robert Ripley's Believe It or Not comic riled up the masses and caused a letter-writing campaign the likes of which the world had never seen.

Facts behind the star spangled banner song