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Oh, say did you know? Friday is National Anthem Day in the United States. 

It's more than 200 years old, but "The Star-Spangled Banner" wasn't always the song of America. 

How well do you know the lyrics to the "Star-Spangled Banner"?

In fact, it wasn't even originally named after the stars and stripes. When Francis Scott Key wrote it in 1814, he titled it "The Defence of Fort M'Henry." 

That's because he had been inspired by the sight of Old Glory flying over the Baltimore fort after a night of heavy British bombardment during the War of 1812. 

But Key, who had set the text to the popular English melody 

 "The Star-Spangled Banner." (Go see it: The actual star-spangled banner that inspired the anthem is 

 at the National Museum of American History in Washington, D.C.)


The full song contains four verses, but the last three are generally omitted in performances. 

The musical history of 'The Star-Spangled Banner'


Beloved during the 19th century, the tune "gained special significance during the Civil War, a time when many Americans turned to music to express their feelings for the flag and the ideals and values it represented," 

However, it did not become America's official national anthem 


Today, the song is regularly performed at patriotic occasions and sporting events, and everyone from Whitney Houston to Lady Gaga to even Roseanne Barr has tackled the song. 


But though it's well known, plenty have flubbed — or even plain forgotten — the lyrics, including 

What about you? How well do you know the lyrics?

"The Star-Spangled Banner" performed by actor, writer and MPR audience insights manager 

Arts and Culture

Lifestyle

Nancy Yang

Author

It's more than 200 years old, but "The Star-Spangled Banner" wasn't always the song symbolizing America's patriotism.

Actor, writer and MPR audience insights manager Tom Reed performs the national anthem.

A star-spangled quiz in honor of National Anthem Day

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