You Think You Know The Words? America’s Most Patriotic Song Is Worth Memorizing And Memorializing On Memorial Day

“The Star-Spangled Banner” is played at sports games, school events, and military ceremonies, but do you know the meaning of our national anthem? The song’s centuries-old history makes it worth memorizing and memorializing, especially on Memorial Day.

ABC News explained how a Harris Interactive survey of 2,200 adults revealed that 61 percent of Americans do not know all the words to “The Star-Spangled Banner.” Out of those who claimed to know the words, only 39 percent know what comes after “whose broad stripes and bright stars,” according to the survey.

MINNEAPOLIS, MN – FEBRUARY 04: Pink sings the national anthem prior to Super Bowl LII between the New England Patriots and the Philadelphia Eagles at U.S. Bank Stadium on February 4, 2018 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)

Perhaps knowing the history will help them stick.

The Kennedy Center explains its history: The U.S. declared war on Great Britain, starting the War of 1812, even though the British army and navy greatly outgunned the U.S.

In August 1814, British forces raided Washington, D.C., torching the White House and other government buildings, simultaneously destroying American morale.

But not Francis Scott Key. An American Lawyer and amateur poet, he and a U.S. official rowed over to a British warship to seek the release of American prisoners on September 13, 1814. After what they thought was a successful meeting, Key and the official were detained on the ship.

Capture & Burning Of Washington By The British In 1814, Washington. (Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

The British planned to attack Fort McHenry and then raid the city as they did to Washington, D.C. They bombarded the fort with their cannons all night while Key watched.

When morning came, Key expected to see the British flag over Fort McHenry, but instead saw the American flag still waving. 

When Key was released, he wrote a poem titled “Defence of Fort McHenry” and put it to music. The title was soon changed to “The Star-Spangled Banner” by a music printer. 

The song became the national anthem in 1931 when President Herbert Hoover signed it into law. 

ARLINGTON, VIRGINIA – MAY 25: (EDITOR’S NOTE: Alternate crop) Members of the 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment place flags at the headstones of U.S. military personnel buried at Arlington National Cemetery, in preparation for Memorial Day, on May 25, 2023 in Arlington, Virginia. More than 1000 service members entered the cemetery at pre-dawn hours to begin the process of placing a flag in front of more than 270,000 headstones. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)

“The Star-Spangled Banner” is a message of hope and triumph over hardships. It is a testimony to the American people, especially those brave enough to fight and die for our country. 

Memorial Day is not just about barbecues and getting a day off. Next time you hear this song, remember the star-spangled flag and the valiant Americans who have died protecting it.