The Star-Spangled Banner is the national anthem of the United States, with lyrics written by Francis Scott Key during the War of 1812. Its melody originates from "To Anacreon in Heaven", a popular 18th-century British drinking song composed by John Stafford Smith for the Anacreontic Society. Officially adopted as the U.S. national anthem in 1931, its high vocal range makes it notoriously challenging to sing.
The melody of "The Star-Spangled Banner" originated as "To Anacreon in Heaven", a drinking song for the Anacreontic Society. John Stafford Smith composed it decades before Francis Scott Key wrote the famous lyrics during the War of 1812.
The Star-Spangled Banner was adopted as the US national anthem in 1931. Its lyrics come from a poem written during the War of 1812 after Key witnessed the bombardment of Fort McHenry.
The U.S. national anthem, with music adapted from an 18th-century British gentlemen's club song and lyrics penned during the War of 1812's Battle of Baltimore.
The national anthem of the United States, born from a poem written during the War of 1812 after Key witnessed the bombardment of Fort McHenry. The melody originates from a British drinking song later adapted by composer John Stafford Smith.
