ClassX Video Lessons The History of the Star-Spangled Banner for Kids: Francis Scott Key and Fort McHenry
“The Star-Spangled Banner” is the national anthem of the United States. It’s a special song with an exciting history that goes back more than two hundred years!
The story of this anthem starts in September 1814, during the War of 1812. This was a time when the United States, a young country, was in a conflict with Great Britain. A young lawyer named Francis Scott Key was sent to a British ship to help free some American prisoners. But because of the ongoing battle, he had to stay on the ship until the fighting was over.
On September 13, 1814, Francis Scott Key watched a fierce battle at Fort McHenry from a ship nearby. The battle was intense, and Key was worried about what would happen. The night sky was lit up by the “rockets’ red glare” and “bombs bursting in air.” When morning came, Key was overjoyed to see the American flag still flying over the fort, which meant the Americans had not lost the battle.
Seeing the flag inspired Key to write a poem on the back of a letter he had with him. After he was released in Baltimore on September 16, he finished the poem, which he called “Defence of Fort M’Henry.” The poem became very popular and was printed in newspapers all over the country. Later, it was set to music, and different versions of the song appeared. In 1889, the Navy officially started using it.
In 1916, President Woodrow Wilson decided that “The Star-Spangled Banner” should be played at military events. Then, on March 4, 1931, President Herbert Hoover signed a bill making it the official national anthem of the United States.
“The Star-Spangled Banner” actually has four verses, but most people know only the first one. This verse is often sung at events like baseball games, fireworks shows, and Fourth of July celebrations. The anthem is a strong reminder of the bravery and spirit of the nation.
Create Your Own Anthem: Imagine your class is a new country, and you need an anthem to represent it. Work in small groups to write a short poem or song that reflects what makes your class special. Think about the values, activities, or symbols that are important to you. Once you have your anthem, perform it for the class!
Flag Observation Activity: Just like Francis Scott Key was inspired by the flag, take a walk around your school or neighborhood and observe different flags you see. Draw a picture of one flag and write a few sentences about what you think it represents. Share your drawing and thoughts with the class.
Explore the Night Sky: Francis Scott Key saw the “rockets’ red glare” and “bombs bursting in air” during the battle. With a parent or guardian, go outside one evening and observe the night sky. Can you spot any stars or constellations? Draw what you see and write a short story about a night-time adventure inspired by the stars.
