Video: ‘Star Spangled Banner’ Turns 200

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COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) — It’s one of the oldest and most popular songs in America. The Star Spangled Banner was written 200 years ago today and WCBI’s LaMonica Peters explains the song’s history and shows us that Americans still enjoy singing the song today.

It’s performed all over the world, at the Olympics, at major sporting events in America. The Star Spangled Banner represents American pride. It began as a poem written by Francis Scott Key on September 14, 1814, after he witnessed an attack on Fort McHenry during the War of 1812. It’s not an easy song to perform, but most proud Americans will give it a try.

The song is usually performed as the American flag is raised. Singing America’s National Anthem at the Superbowl is seen as a career highlight for many artists.
In 1991, Whitney Houston gave an unforgettable rendition of the Star Bangled Banner.

The original version of the Star Spangled Banner was entitled “Defence of Fort McHenry” and was published on September 20, 1814. In 1889, Secretary of the Navy Benjamin F. Tracy signed a General Order, making “The Star-Spangled Banner” the official tune to be played at the raising of the flag.