The Star-Spangled Banner is America's national anthem. It was written by Francis Scott Key a lawyer who practiced in Baltimore and Washington, D.C. It was originally titled The Defence Of Fort McHenry.
America declared war on Great Britain on June 18, 1812 because of trade disagreements, and in 1814, the British invaded Washington and burned the White House, the Capitol building, and The Library of Congress before targeting Baltimore.
One of Key's friend Dr. William Beanes was taken prisoner and held on a ship so Key went to Baltimore, found the ship, and negotiated for Beanes release. He was successful, but the British wouldn't let them leave until after the battle for Fort McHenry. As morning dawned, Key saw that even through the battle was long and dreadful, the American flag still flew over Fort McHenry. To celebrate he wrote the poem called the defence of Fort McHenry.
People started calling the poem the Star-Spangled Banner, and it was soon set to music. In 19166 President Wilson order edits played at all official functions, and in 1931 it became our national anthem.
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