The Star-Spangled Banner Becomes the National Anthem: A Presidential Decision
On March 3, 1931, President Herbert Hoover signed a law officially designating "The Star-Spangled Banner" as the national anthem of the United States. While it had been a beloved patriotic song for over a century, it wasn't until Hoover's signature that it became the nation's official anthem.
The Story Behind the Star-Spangled Banner
The lyrics were written by Francis Scott Key in 1814 during the War of 1812 after he witnessed the British attack on Fort McHenry in Baltimore. As the smoke cleared, Key saw the American flag still flying over the fort, inspiring him to write a poem called "Defence of Fort M'Henry." This poem was later set to the tune of an existing song and became widely known as "The Star-Spangled Banner."
Why Did It Become the National Anthem?
For decades, different patriotic songs, like "Hail, Columbia" and "My Country, 'Tis of Thee," were used at official events, but none were designated as the country’s official anthem. The U.S. military had already adopted "The Star-Spangled Banner" for official use, and its popularity continued to grow. In 1931, Congress passed a bill making it the national anthem, and President Hoover signed it into law.
Interesting Facts About the National Anthem
The song has four verses, but only the first is typically sung.
It was originally a poem, not a song.
The melody comes from an old British drinking song called "To Anacreon in Heaven."
It wasn’t until 1942 that the government established an official arrangement of the anthem.
The Anthem Today
Since becoming the official national anthem, "The Star-Spangled Banner" has been performed at major national events, including presidential inaugurations, sports games, and historic ceremonies. It remains a symbol of American resilience and pride.
Next time you hear the anthem, remember—this piece of history was made official on March 3, 1931, thanks to President Herbert Hoover!
