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Composed by John Stafford Smith in the late 18th century as a drinking song, it became the U.S. national anthem in 1931 after Francis Scott Key's lyrics, inspired by the Battle of Fort McHenry, were paired with the melody.

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.