I remember as a child before classes would begin our Teachers would bring the Flag out and we would say the National Anthem and Pray. Which we all know in Public Schools today may or may not happen. Which is why I’m glad I’m able to Homeschool Charlie because were able to say the National Anthem and Pray anytime we want. Join us in Charlie’s Homeschool Drama Class this morning and say the National Athem with my family.
National Anthem Day, falls on March 3rd and yes, it is a holiday. Our National Anthem is The Star Spangled Banner which was written by Francis Scott Key is said. Francis Scott Key wrote the lyrics on September 14, 1814, during the Battle of Fort McHenry in the War of 1812. Did you know The Star Spangled Banner was originally called “Defence of Fort McHenry”. There are many patriotic songs, and The Star Spangled Banner became another one of them, one that struck at the heart of Americans, and gained popularity over the years. For a long time, America did not have an official national anthem.
It wasn’t until over 100 years later, that The Star Spangled Banner became our National Anthem. On March 3, 1931, President Herbert Hoover signed a congressional resolution officially making “The Star Spangled Banner” the National Anthem of the United States of America. On this holiday, Americans proudly fly the USA flag at there home or place of business. Take this as an opportunity to sing the National Anthem, or listen to it being sung and make sure you, look for chances to show your patriotism.
Oh Say Can You See Fort McHenry
The story behind “The Star-Spangled Banner” is as moving as the anthem itself. While an attorney, Key was serving in the Georgetown Light Field Artillery during the War of 1812. In 1814, his negotiation skills as a lawyer were called upon to release Dr. William Beane, a prisoner on the British naval ship, Tonnant. Early in September, Key traveled to Baltimore in the company of Colonel John Skinner to begin negotiations.
Check out the National Anthem for other Countries:
Canada: O Canada
France: La Marseillaise
Mexico: Himno Nacional Mexicano
Spain: Marcha Real
United Kingdom
HOW TO OBSERVE NATIONAL ANTHEM DAY
- Sing the Star-Spangled Banner.
- Fly the American flag.
- Visit Fort McHenry in Maryland.
- Visit Francis Scott Key Park in Washington, D.C.
Complete version of “The Star-Spangled Banner” showing spelling and punctuation from Francis Scott Key’s manuscript in the Maryland Historical Society collection.
O say can you see, by the dawn’s early light,
What so proudly we hail’d at the twilight’s last gleaming,
Whose broad stripes and bright stars through the perilous fight
O’er the ramparts we watch’d were so gallantly streaming?
And the rocket’s red glare, the bomb bursting in air,
Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there,
O say does that star-spangled banner yet wave
O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave?
On the shore dimly seen through the mists of the deep
Where the foe’s haughty host in dread silence reposes,
What is that which the breeze, o’er the towering steep,
As it fitfully blows, half conceals, half discloses?
Now it catches the gleam of the morning’s first beam,
In full glory reflected now shines in the stream,
‘Tis the star-spangled banner – O long may it wave
O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave!
And where is that band who so vauntingly swore,
That the havoc of war and the battle’s confusion
A home and a Country should leave us no more?
Their blood has wash’d out their foul footstep’s pollution.
No refuge could save the hireling and slave
From the terror of flight or the gloom of the grave,
And the star-spangled banner in triumph doth wave
O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave.
O thus be it ever when freemen shall stand
Between their lov’d home and the war’s desolation!
Blest with vict’ry and peace may the heav’n rescued land
Praise the power that hath made and preserv’d us a nation!
Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just,
And this be our motto – “In God is our trust,”
And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave
O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave.
Thank you,
Glenda, Charlie and David Cates
