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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.

The melody was adapted from a British drinking song, and the lyrics were written by Francis Scott Key after witnessing the bombardment of Fort McHenry.