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The Star Spangled Banner The Flag and Its Anthem (Reading Essentials in Social Studies)
The Star Spangled Banner The Flag and Its Anthem - Reading Essentials in Social Studies Author:Thomas S. Owens Fully illustrated with photos and art. Includes the history of the flag as well as the anthem right up to modern times. Trivia and history notes in golden text boxes throughout the book. — Overview: — During the War of 1812, Major George Armistead ordered the creation of an enormous United States flag to fly over Fort McHenry. Mary Young Picker... more »sgill sewed the Star-Spangled Banner, which later inspired Francis Scott Key to write the song that became the country's national anthem.
Key saw the flag rise the morning after the Battle of Baltimore. The surprising sight led him to write a poem entitled "In Defense of Fort McHenry." Key's poem was widely published in newspapers around the country, and soon people were singing his words along to the music from "Anacreon in Heaven." This popular drinking song quickly became the tune for "The Star-Spangled Banner."
While the song was popular among both military and civilian citizens, some were opposed to its becoming the national anthem. The song's musical range, history, origin, and lyrics were criticized. Other anthems were suggested. Finally, in 1931, congress officially recognized "The Star-Spangled Banner" as America's national anthem.
Over the years, the anthem became an important symbol to millions of Americans. Major League Baseball made the anthem a sports tradition. At the 1968 Olympics, members of the U.S. track team were stripped of their medals after protesting during the playing of "The Star-Spangled Banner." Many singers have tried making the anthem their own, some causing outrage at their nontraditional renditions.
The flag that inspired the anthem continued to change throughout the years. Congressional acts and executive orders guided changes to the banner. Twenty-seven official versions of the red, white, and blue symbol have led to the flag that flies today.« less