The Star-Spangled Banner
Originally titled, "Defense of Fort M'Henry," then, later changed to "The Star Spangled Banner," this famous american war ballad has penetrated all spheres of public influence from schools to sports. Written by Francis Scott Key, this ballad made it's inception during the 1812 War between the United States and Great Britain.
Although, historically, the causes of the war continue to remain in great debate among historians, a few points of the early onset are generally agreed upon. The British impressement of American sailors, or forcibly taking sailors into servitude of the British navy, created tensions in the realm of trade. Also, western expansion of US territory into native land proved a key element in the creation of a bigger agricultural economy.
Determined on reaffirming its recently won independence in the American Revolution, the United States formally declared war against Great Britian in 1812. Despite the fact that the United States navy scored victories against Britian in the Atlantic and Lake Eire; Britain successfully retaliated by burning the White House in Washington and bombarding Fort McHenry in Baltimore, Maryland. The latter proved to be a decisive moment for Francis Scott Key.
"By the dawn's early light," Key was able to make out the American flag from Fort McHenry "Whose bright stripes and bright stars.. Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there." Through Key's specific words and tones of patriotism, this ballad demonstrates the nationalist sentiments of the American people after the end of the war in 1815.
The Star-Spangled Banner remains overtly prominent in our world today as it is listed as our nations national anthem. Whether its words remain true in our current world of academics or leisure, the lasting impact remains recignized.