The Star-Spangled Banner was written today in writing history September 14.
Today in Writing: September 14: The Star-Spangled Banner Is Written
The Star-Spangled Banner was written on September 14, 1814. Francis Scott Key penned the poem, Defence of Fort M’Henry, during the Battle of Baltimore during the War of 1812. Key’s words would be set to music and eventually adopted as the national anthem of the United States of America on March 3, 1931.
Additional Facts About The Star-Spangled Banner
Please take this opportunity to learn more about The Star-Spangled Banner and its author, Francis Scott Key. Key was regarded as an amateur poet, yet he wrote the lyrics to one of the most iconic songs in American history. Aspiring writers should take the time to practice writing and find inspiration as they learn more about The Star-Spangled Banner and Francis Scott Key.
Francis Scott Key Biography
Francis Scott Key was born on August 1, 1779, in Frederick County, Maryland. His father, John Ross Key, served as an officer in the Continental Army during the American War for Independence. John was a lawyer and later a judge.
Francis followed in his father’s footsteps. After graduating from St. John’s College in 1796, he studied law under his uncle’s tutelage. Francis Scott Key would become a well-respected lawyer, arguing cases in front of the United States Supreme Court and alongside federal prosecutors. Key also served as the District of Columbia’s 4th Attorney General.
Francis Scott Key and Slavery
Key owned several enslaved people throughout his life. While he did free many of them over the course of his lifetime, he owned eight slaves when he died in 1843. One of the men that Francis Scott Key owned did continue to work for him for a salary after he was freed.
As a lawyer, Francis Scott Key represented cases on both sides. He offered free representation for enslaved people seeking their freedom in court. He also represented owners seeking the return of runaway slaves.
Francis Scott Key was publically critical of slavery. However, he was also a founding member of the American Colonization Society. The goal of the ACS was to send formerly enslaved people to Africa. Abolitionists did not support it. The organization’s actions did lead to the creation of Liberia in 1847.
Religion
Francis Scott Key was a staunch Episcopalian. While Key was not primarily a writer, his religious beliefs influenced his writing. He almost went the route of a priest rather than a lawyer. Two religious poems written by Key, ‘Before the Lord We Bow’ and ‘Lord, with Glowing Heart I’d Praise Thee,’ are used as Christian hymns.
Francis Scott Key’s Legacy
The legacy of Francis Scott Key has been criticized. Abolitionists during his time admonished him for playing to both sides of the issue. More recently, attention has been called to his actions and beliefs. His legacy is conflicted.
Scott Fitzgerald and Francis Scott Key
Famed American author F. Scott Fitzgerald was a distant cousin of Francis Scott Key. Fitzgerald was also named after Key. His full name is Francis Scott Key Fitzgerald.
The War of 1812
The War of 1812 was fought between the United States and England between 1812 and 1815. It resulted from American expansion in North America and the Napoleonic Wars in Europe. The English Navy was forcibly conscripting American sailors into service of the Royal Navy. The United States Congress voted to declare war on England on June 18, 1812.
Early War
England was already embroiled in a war with Napoleon and France. Attempts to make concessions with the United States did not reach Congress before they voted to declare war. While the war ended in a draw, the United States suffered considerable losses.
American Setbacks
While the United States did send forces into Canada, the attacks were mostly repelled by the Canadian militia and British regulars stationed in the colony. Napoleon abdicated in 1814, ending the European conflict and allowing England to focus on its war with America. In August 1814, England launched a campaign against Baltimore.
This attack resulted in the Burning of Washington. British forces burned the White House, US Capitol Building, and other government facilities in retaliation for the destruction caused by the American forces that invaded Canada. The invasion lasted slightly over 24 hours before a severe storm extinguished most of the fires. American forces eventually rallied and defeated the English, ending the fighting in the north.
Francis Scott Key and the War of 1812
Following the Burning of Washington, Francis Scott Key met with high-ranking British officers on September 7, 1814, aboard the HMS Tonnant. Key was there to negotiate the release of prisoners of war. While he was successful, the British would not let him and the prisoners leave the fleet and were kept under guard. The Americans had seen the strength and organization of an upcoming attack.
Battle of Baltimore
British forces attacked Baltimore, Maryland, on September 12, 1814. The battle would last two days. At 6:00 AM on September 13, the Royal Navy began a heavy bombardment of Fort McHenry, the defense protecting Baltimore Harbor. British ships fired on the fort continuously for over 24 hours.
Attack on Fort McHenry
Held captive in the British fleet, Francis Scott Key watched helplessly as Fort McHenry was bombarded for over a day. On the dawn of September 14, Key saw a sight that inspired him to write his poem Defence of Fort M’Henry. A much larger American flag had replaced the American flag flying over the fort. Its raising signaled that despite the heavy attack, the forces of Fort Henry had not surrendered.
Defence of Fort M’Henry
O say can you see, by the dawn’s early light,
What so proudly we hailed at the twilight’s last gleaming,
Whose broad stripes and bright stars through the perilous fight,
O’er the ramparts we watched, were so gallantly streaming?
And the rocket’s red glare, the bombs bursting in air,
Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there;
O say does that star-spangled banner yet wave
O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave?
On the shore dimly seen through the mists of the deep,
Where the foe’s haughty host in dread silence reposes,
What is that which the breeze, o’er the towering steep,
As it fitfully blows, half conceals, half discloses?
Now it catches the gleam of the morning’s first beam,
In full glory reflected now shines in the stream:
‘Tis the star-spangled banner, O long may it wave
O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave.
And where is that band who so vauntingly swore
That the havoc of war and the battle’s confusion,
A home and a country, should leave us no more?
Their blood has washed out their foul footsteps’ pollution.
No refuge could save the hireling and slave
From the terror of flight, or the gloom of the grave:
And the star-spangled banner in triumph doth wave,
O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave.
O thus be it ever, when freemen shall stand
Between their loved homes and the war’s desolation.
Blest with vict’ry and peace, may the Heav’n rescued land
Praise the Power that hath made and preserved us a nation!
Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just,
And this be our motto: ‘In God is our trust.’
And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave
O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave!
The Star-Spangled Banner
The version of the American flag during the War of 1812, with 15 stars and stripes, was known as the Star-Spangled Banner. After the war, Key’s poem was set to the tune of ‘The Anacreontic Song‘ by composer John Stafford Smith. It was a famous English song of the time. Published in newspapers across the country, The Star-Spangled Banner was immensely popular. While several songs were used as the national anthem for the United States in the following century, The Star-Spangled Banner was officially adopted by the US Congress on March 3, 1931.
Today in Writing: September 14 – Francis Scott Key Quotes
Despite being an amateur poet, Francis Scott Key wrote the words to the most iconic song in American history. Aspiring writers should note that outstanding literary contributions do not always come from veteran storytellers. Key let inspiration guide him to writing an enduring poem and a nation’s anthem.
Francis Scott Key Quotes
Oh, say can you see by the dawn’s early light
What so proudly we hailed at the twilight’s last gleaming?
Whose broad stripes and bright stars thru the perilous fight,
O’er the ramparts we watched were so gallantly streaming?
And the rocket’s red glare, the bombs bursting in air,
Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there.
Oh, say does that star-spangled banner yet wave
O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave?
Today in Writing: September 14 – Aspiring Writers Daily Writing Exercise
Do any of the stories from Francis Scott Key’s life inspire you? Do any reports from the War of 1812 give you an idea? Do any of Key’s quotes inspire you?
Find a topic from today’s today in writing history update and freewrite about it for at least 5 minutes. Don’t let any opportunity to write down an idea go to waste. Aspiring writers: Practice your writing today! Celebrate Today in Writing History September 14.
Leave a Reply