On March 3rd, American National Anthem Day, the best way one can celebrate is to learn a little about the "The Star-Spangled Banner", as well as how to respect the American National Anthem, and maybe even to pass the knowledge to another person.
History of the Star Spangled Banner
In the War of 1812, the British bombed and burned America’s White House and Capitol at Washington, DC. They were set to take the port of Baltimore Harbor, which was protected by Fort McHenry. Fort McHenry identified itself as American by a 42-foot red, white, and blue flag. Frances Scott Key, being held captive, caught a few glimpses of the British attack, and waited desperately, as many other Americans did, to know whether America would survive. Suddenly, in the dark of night, the sounds of the bombing stopped.
Mr. Key didn’t know whether the British had been defeated, or whether Fort McHenry had been destroyed. But as the sun rose, there stood their Flag, letting Key and other frantic Americans know that their country had been "blessed with victory and peace" and still stood as a Nation under God. The Star-Spangled Banner is a story of worry, wonder, and triumph for the beautiful nation that its citizens call the United States of America–the land of the free, and the home of the brave.
Proper Flag Etiquette
Proper flag etiquette is actually a national law (U.S. Code, Title 36, Chapter 10, Section 171), but it’s easy. During a rendition of the national anthem, everyone not in uniform should stand at attention, facing the flag with the right hand over the heart; men should remove their headcovering with their right hand and hold it at the left shoulder (this way the hand ends up being over the heart). Individuals in uniform should give the military salute. Everyone should salute at the first note of the anthem and maintain the position, quietly and still, until the last note. On the rare occasions when there is no flag present, face toward the music and act in the same manner as if the Flag were displayed.
The Star-Spangled Banner
—Francis Scott Key, 1814
O say, can you see, by the dawn's early light,
What so proudly we hail'd at the twilight's last gleaming?
Whose broad stripes and bright stars, thro' the perilous fight,
O'er the ramparts we watch'd, were so gallantly streaming?
And the rockets' red glare, the bombs bursting in air,
Gave proof thro' 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 thro' 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 on 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 wash'd 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 free-men shall stand
Between their lov'd home and the war's desolation;
Blest with vict'ry and peace, may the heav'n-rescued land
Praise the Pow'r that hath made and preserv'd 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!
Celebrating the American National Anthem holiday on March 3 is a wonderful way for Americans to show patriotism, and for citizens of other countries to show their support for the USA. Any country's national anthem is to be treated with utmost dignity and respect.
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