The Star-Spangled Banner, originally composed by John Stafford Smith in the 18th century, received a virtuosic piano treatment by Russian Romantic composer Sergei Rachmaninoff in the 1930s, blending American patriotism with lush Romantic-era harmonies.
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.
