Society, frequently lifted not only their voices but also their cups in song. The members of the club for which the music was originally composed, the Anacreontic On the other hand, there is strong evidence that One writer for The Independent called it 'one of the country’s most known and treasured songs.' One writer for Deseret News said singing the song in unison at sports games takes advantage of 'the chance to create greater unity in our country.There is little basis for the legend that the tune of our national anthem wasĪn old English drinking song. Opinions from left to right agreed that the song inspires unity and shared values of freedom. Voices on all sides analyzed the national anthem, its history, meaning, and role in U.S. pride is inherently connected to racism and bigotry. As is typical around the issue of patriotism, many on the right celebrated national pride enthusiastically, while some on the left questioned whether U.S. Opinion pages across the political spectrum featured perspectives on the Fourth of July and U.S.

Music historians say this tradition began after World War II, when Americans took inspiration from how Canada played its anthem before hockey games. Key's words, which he wrote after witnessing the British Royal Navy bomb Fort McHenry during the War of 1812, were then set to the tune of a popular British song written by John Stafford Smith for the Anacreontic Society, a London men's social club. Today, the anthem is sung before U.S. As Americans honor the country's birthday this Fourth of July, voices across the political spectrum are reflecting on the national anthem and what it means today.įirst written in 1814 by poet Francis Scott Key, Congress named The Star-Spangled Banner the U.S.

Words to the star spangled banner song