Fascinating facts about Francis Scott Key, the writing of what would become America's national anthem, and the War of 1812 ...

The actual flag Key saw — the Star-Spangled Banner — is now housed in a climate-controlled, light-protected chamber at the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History in Washington, D.C.

American Francis Scott Key awoke on the morning of Sept. 14, 1814, to find that "our flag was still there" after horrific 25-hour British naval bombardment of Fort McHenry in Baltimore.

Among the world’s best-known national anthems, “The Star-Spangled Banner” (1814) emerged out of a welter ... 14, 1814, Key was inspired by the sight of the American flag victoriously waving above the ...

Original Star Spangled Banner, on display at Museum of American History (Smithsonian) The flag raised on the morning of September 14th was a “garrison flag”, an extra-large flag flown on ...

On September 14, 1814, Francis Scott Key penned the lyrics to the Star-Spangled Banner. During the War of 1812, Key was on a British ship seeking to secure the exchange of American prisoners.

Despite the deep-felt attachment many Americans have to The Star-Spangled Banner, it isn’t an American tune. It was, in fact, written in the 1760s by the British organist and composer John Stafford ...

A 30-foot by 42-foot Star-Spangled Banner Flag replica is raised during Fort McHenry’s By Dawn’s Early Light program, in 2014. (U.S. Navy/Wikimedia Commons) Sign up to receive our latest updates!

Spangled Banner,” “ America the Beautiful” and “God Bless America” — all patriotic songs that celebrate America.

Jimi Hendrix’s Star-Spangled Banner brought the sounds of Vietnam to the crowd at Woodstock. But he wasn’t the only musician to reimagine the national anthem during a time of war.

Star-spangled banner still waves boldly as always, Flag Day reminds Americans From representing 13 colonies in 1777 to 50 states today, U.S. flag has gone through scores of changes as it continues ...

The flag is housed in a climate-controlled, light-protected chamber at the National Museum of American History in Washington, D.C.