The National Anthem

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What is the national anthem of the US?

“The Star-Spangled Banner” is the national anthem of the United States. The song is based on a poem written by Francis Scott Key 211 years ago, on Sept. 14, 1814, during the War of 1812, while watching American troops hold off British forces at the Battle of Baltimore. Written in the battle’s immediate aftermath, the original poem borrowed a melody from a popular British song of the time.

 

“The Star-Spangled Banner” grew popular with Americans. In 1931, President Herbert Hoover approved a bill that finally designated it the national anthem. Soon after, other sports leagues made its performance a regular feature before games.

It’s become an American tradition for artists to put their spin on the anthem when performing it (see Whitney Houston's iconic 1991 Super Bowl rendition). 
 

The song is still popular some 200 years later, with Americans overwhelmingly saying they would not prefer a change.

... Read our full overview on the anthem here.

 

Also, check out ... 

> How printers eventually changed the name of the national anthem. (More)

> The 1918 origins of performing the anthem at sporting events in the US. (More)

> Roughly 60% of Americans prefer to keep the existing national anthem. (More)