National Anthem sing-along day

by
Key's original manuscript
Key’s original manuscript

If every American sings loudly enough, Canadians and Mexicans might be able to hear “The Star-Spangled Banner” on Flag Day. That’s because every American is being invited to sing the National Anthem at 4 p.m. EDT on June 14.

In addition, “The Star-Spangled Banner” — both the original manuscript of the words and the original flag — will be united for the first time to mark the 200th anniversary of the anthem.

Francis Scott Key wrote the lyrics to what would become the National Anthem in September 1814 as he watched Fort McHenry in the Baltimore harbor being shelled by British naval vessels. The song, set to a melody written – ironically – by an Englishman, salutes the fort’s flag, which survived a long nighttime bombardment.

Remnants of that flag now hang at the National Museum of American History, a Smithsonian site in Washington, D.C. For a brief time this summer, June 14-July 6, the original manuscript of Key’s words will be displayed alongside the banner.

In addition to that first-ever coming together, plans are in place to mark the anthem’s bicentennial with a National Sing-Along to take place throughout the U.S. on June 14.

Remnants of the original Star-Spangled Banner
Remnants of the original Star-Spangled Banner

“Two hundred years ago, Francis Scott Key, inspired by the sight of the flag’s ‘broad stripes and bright stars,’ wrote a song that gave new significance to a national symbol and started a tradition through which Americans have invested the flag with their own meaning and memories,” said John L. Gray, director of the museum, in a press release.

He added that “it is an honor for the museum to be the home of the Star-Spangled Banner and to preserve it for future generations.”

“Raise It Up! Anthem for America” is the title of the Flag Day celebration. Americans are encouraged to gather as families, club members, communities and other groups to sing “The Star-Spangled Banner” simultaneously with others across the nation.

First printing of Key's words, 1814.
First printing of Key’s words, 1814.

Outside the museum in Washington, for example, people will crowd the National Mall for a massive sing-along with the hope of breaking a record for the largest group-sing ever. Throughout America, visitors to historic sites will also be invited to join in the harmony.

If we’re all enthusiastic, we can add a preamble to the song for our Canadian and Mexican neighbors: “Oh, say, can you hear?”

(For more information, visit http://anthemforamerica.smithsonian.com.)

James Breig is a veteran author who specializes in history. His most recent book is “Star-Spangled Baseball: True Tales of Flags and Fields” about the links between the sport and flags. He is also the author of a nonfiction book about WWII, "Searching for Sgt. Bailey: Saluting an Ordinary Soldier of World War II" and co-author of "The Mystery of the Multiple Mothers," a novel. All three are available at www.amazon.com. His articles have appeared in newspapers and national magazines, including the Colonial Williamsburg Journal (search for them at www.history.org/journal) and History Magazine. He has won many national awards for his opinion writing, media columns and feature articles.

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