March 3rd, 1931 Congress Adopts Star-Spangled Banner as Official National Anthem

While the poem "Defence of Fort M'Henry" was written by Francis Scott Key on September 14th, 1814, as inspired by the events of the previous day, March 3rd, 1931 holds historical significance for the Star-Spangled Banner.

On that day, the U.S. Congress officially adopted "The Star-Spangled Banner" as the national anthem of the United States through an act of Congress signed by President Herbert Hoover.

Therefore, while the song's origins trace back to the War of 1812, it wasn't officially designated as the national anthem until 1931.

During the War of 1812, British forces attacked Fort McHenry in Baltimore, Maryland, on September 13th.

Lawyer and amateur poet Francis Scott Key witnessed the 25-hour bombardment from a nearby ship while negotiating for the release of American prisoners.

Throughout the night, Key anxiously awaited news of the fort's fate. As dawn broke on September 14th, Key saw a giant American flag, nicknamed the "Star-Spangled Banner," still proudly flying above the fort, signifying that the Americans had successfully defended it.

Inspired by the sight, Key penned a poem titled "Defence of Fort M'Henry," which eventually became the lyrics to the "Star-Spangled Banner," the U.S. national anthem.

The Star-Spangled Banner, while having four verses in total, typically only the first verse is sung publicly. Here are the lyrics to the first verse:

O say can you see, by the dawn's early light, What so proudly we hailed at the twilight's last gleaming, Whose broad stripes and bright stars through the perilous fight, O'er the ramparts we watched were so gallantly streaming? And the rocket's red glare, the bombs 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?