Before it became a solemn patriotic symbol, 'The Star-Spangled Banner' began life as a raucous English drinking song. Francis Scott Key’s stirring words, inspired by the sight of the American flag ...

Among the world’s best-known national anthems, “The Star-Spangled Banner” (1814) emerged out of a welter of patriotic musical activity during the decades following our victorious conclusion of the ...

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 ...

"The Star-Spangled Banner" began its life as a poem by Francis Scott Key about seeing the flag flying over Fort McHenry after it was bombarded by British troops in 1814. Long before it became the ...

From Little League games to professional sporting events and from school assemblies to citizenship ceremonies, the lines of “The Star-Spangled Banner” ring out. It is one of the most common ...