The basics Like so many famous songs of yore, "The Star-Spangled Banner" started as a poem, called “The Defence of Fort McHenry.” It was written by Francis Scott Key in 1814 during the War of ...

The Star-Spangled Banner, one of the best-known national anthems in the world, has roots far more rowdy than patriotic, ...

Discover the history and lyrics to the well-known anthem below. Read more: The world’s greatest national anthems Who composed the US national anthem? The music was written by British composer and ...

ITS NAMED THE FRANCIS SCOTT KEY BRIDGE BECAUSE IT’S BELIEVED THAT KEY WAS ABOUT 100 YARDS AWAY FROM IT. WHEN HE PENNED WHAT WOULD TODAY BECOME THE STAR-SPANGLED BANNER BACK IN SEPTEMBER OF 1814.

Erected in 1977, the Francis Scott Key Bridge passed within 100 yards of the spot where Key witnessed the bombardment of a fort that inspired what would become America’s national anthem.

IT WAS NAMED AFTER FRANCIS SCOTT KEY, WHO WATCHED THE BOMBARDMENT OF FORT MCHENRY DURING THE WAR OF 1812. IT INSPIRED KEY TO WRITE THE POEM THAT INSPIRED THE STAR-SPANGLED BANNER, THE NATIONAL ANTHEM.

IT WAS NAMED AFTER FRANCIS SCOTT KEY, WHO WATCHED THE BOMBARDMENT OF FORT MCHENRY DURING THE WAR OF 1812. IT INSPIRED KEY TO WRITE THE POEM THAT INSPIRED THE STAR-SPANGLED BANNER, THE NATIONAL ANTHEM.

IT WAS NAMED AFTER FRANCIS SCOTT KEY, WHO WATCHED THE BOMBARDMENT OF FORT MCHENRY DURING THE WAR OF 1812. IT INSPIRED KEY TO WRITE THE POEM THAT INSPIRED THE STAR-SPANGLED BANNER, THE NATIONAL ANTHEM.

IT WAS NAMED AFTER FRANCIS SCOTT KEY, WHO WATCHED THE BOMBARDMENT OF FORT MCHENRY DURING THE WAR OF 1812. IT INSPIRED KEY TO WRITE THE POEM THAT INSPIRED THE STAR-SPANGLED BANNER, THE NATIONAL ANTHEM.