To mark the 250th anniversary of the United States, we’re cataloging 25 objects that define the country’s history. “The Star-Spangled Banner.” Many of us put our hands on our hearts and try to croak ...

FRIDAY IS Flag Day. Usually this national holiday slips quietly by, but this year -- the 225th anniversary -- deserves some razzle-dazzle. Saturday the National Museum of American History promises a ...

It’s a song every American has heard countless times, but how much do you really know about our national anthem?

Inspired by the sight of the American flag after battle, Francis Scott Key wrote “The Star-Spangled Banner.” Its vivid imagery captured the spirit of survival, symbolizing the nation's push for ...

When lawyer and poet Francis Scott Key wrote the lyrics to “The Star-Spangled Banner” in 1814, he was trying to heal a divided nation and encourage all Americans to rise above party politics. It ...

A composite of the "Star Spangled Banner" that inspired the lyrics of the national anthem. (Courtesy of the Smithsonian Institute) To mark the 250th anniversary of the United States, we’re cataloging ...