This day in history: “The Star-Spangled Banner” becomes official U.S. national anthem

Yasmin MustefaTue, March 3, 2026 at 10:56 AM UTC

0

On March 3, 1931, President Herbert Hoover signed the bill making “The Star-Spangled Banner” the official national anthem of the United States. The anthem’s lyrics were written by Francis Scott Key, inspired by the sight of the American flag still flying after the British bombardment during the War of 1812.

​In 1812, the United States went to war with Great Britain over trade disputes and issues of maritime rights. During the war, British forces invaded Washington, D.C., burning the White House, the Capitol building, and the Library of Congress before moving on to Baltimore.

Francis Scott Key, a lawyer, wrote the poem that would become the anthem after witnessing the British bombardment of Fort McHenry in Maryland during the War of 1812. He observed the attack while aboard a British ship, where he was being held after negotiating the release of an American civilian doctor. Inspired by the sight of the American flag still flying over Fort McHenry after the battle, he penned the lyrics that would later become the anthem.

His poem, “Defence of Fort M’Henry,” was published in a Baltimore newspaper a week later. The words were soon set to the tune of “To Anacreon in Heaven,” a well-known English song, and the resulting anthem gained popularity within the U.S. armed forces.

​In 1916, President Woodrow Wilson ordered that “The Star-Spangled Banner” be played at official events for the U.S. armed forces. In 1929, Maryland Representative John Linthicum introduced a bill to make the song the national anthem, stating, “This country needs a national song to give expression to its patriotism.” Two years later, after Congress passed the bill, President Herbert Hoover signed it into law, officially recognizing the anthem.

The anthem is played at many significant events, including sports games. In 1918, during the World Series, the band began playing the anthem, and players—some of whom were also serving in the Navy—stood at attention, marking a memorable moment.

Advertisement

​Musicology professor Mark Clague described the scene: “The crowd responded [to the anthem]. It was written up in the newspaper as this amazing moment that brought the stadium back to life during a time of despair, both for the sport and the country.”

From that point on, “The Star-Spangled Banner” became a tradition at sporting events. Throughout the 1920s, the song’s use at games fostered a sense of unity and patriotism among Americans.

Ask us! What questions do you have about content, strategy, pop culture, lifestyle, wellness, history or more? We may use your question in an upcoming article!

Ask us a question

Like MediaFeed’s content? Be sure to follow us.

This article was syndicated by MediaFeed.org.

Original Article on Source

Source: “AOL Entertainment”