1814: Francis Scott Key pens âThe Star Spangled Banner.â
Originally titled âDefense of Fort McHenry,â the poem described the bombardment of the fort by the British fleet I Baltimore Harbor during the War of 1812. Key was a captive on the British Navyâs HMS Minden during the battle. He watched while the British ships pounded the fortress with shells ans rocket fire, and say the fortâs small âstorm flagâ was flying during the rainy night, illuminated by the explosions. After the barrage had finishes, Key would not know until the next morning what the outcome of the battle was. That morning, the defenders raised the fortâs larger American flag and Key was inspired by the sight. He wrote the poem on the back of a letter, and later it was published in a national magazine. In the 19th century it was set to music and officially adopted by the US Navy. In 1931, the song was officially adopted as the national anthem.
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