The U.S. national anthem, composed by John Stafford Smith and paired with Francis Scott Key’s poem after the Battle of Fort McHenry. Its melody derives from "To Anacreon in Heaven," a popular 18th-century social club song.
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.
