Christina Aguilera recently flubbed the words and Roseanne Barr's rendition will probably go down in history as the worst ever, but how well do you know the Star Spangled Banner?
Most people know the basics of our national anthem's history: Lawyer and occasional poet Francis Scott Key created the anthem in 1814. However, the Star Spangled Banner wasn't recognized as our nation's official song until Congress adopted a resolution in 1931.
To celebrate the anniversary, we've uploaded some YouTube videos of the most lauded—and infamous—renditions of the Star Spangled Banner. We also hit the streets to see how well Westchester residents know the anthem.
Since it's only fair that our readers take part, we've also included some trivia questions to test how much you know about the Star Spangled Banner.
Here are the questions:
1. The Star Spangled Banner Flag was the inspiration for Francis Scott Key's poem. How many stars and stripes are on this flag?
2. What is the name of the Francis Scott Key poem that was used as the basis for our national anthem?
3. Before the Star Spangled Banner, several other songs were used to salute our country. Can you name at least one of them?
4. Where was the first public performance of our national anthem?
Feel free to post your answers in the comments section below.
2. "Defense of Fort McHenry. It was written during the war of 1812. 3. My Country Tis of Thee and Hail Columbia 4. Jose Feliciano The most important is what the colors represent which was left out: Red: Red stands for courage. Many men and women have had the courage to stand up and fight for our country. They have defended our country against our enemies and many have died in the service of our country. White: White stands for purity & innoncence. Purity means to do what is right. We hope and pray that our country will always stand for what is right. Blue: Blue stands for justice. When we pledge allegiance to the flag, we end with the words: "With liberty and justice for all." That means that in our country, everyone should be treated fairly and with respect.
You're so close! You got half the questions correct—questions # 2 and 3, to be exact. Thanks for also sharing what the colors on the flag represent.
If that is the case then it would be a total number of stars to 15 and a total of 15 stripes. This was the only U.S. flag to have fifteen stripes. In 1818, Congress proclaimed that one star for each new state would be added on the 4th of July following the state's admission to the union and there would be thirteen stripes representing the thirteen original colonies. The 15 star flag flew over Fort McHenry during the War of 1812 and inspired the writing of the National Anthem, The Star Spangled Banner. 4. What's the correct answer to 4? I am stumped.
Your first answer to #1 was incorrect, but you're now right. The Star Spangled Banner Flag has 15 stars and stripes.
John, you are correct. The song was first performed in a tavern, of all places :)
I wish they would sing it as it was written instead of trashing it, out of respect for the Anthem as well as our Country, saving their varied singing styles to their own performances. There, I finally got this off my chest!!!
Lawrence was judged guilty by reason of insanity and was committed to a mental asylum.