The Star Spangled Banner
This is Steven Petrick Posting.
There is much happening in the world today, much happened today in the past. It was on this day that the event that would lead to out National Anthem occurred. The British forces, fresh from their successful capture, and burning, of our capitol, began their bombardment of Fort McHenry.
On one of the English ships was Francis Scott Key, there to negotiate the exchange of American prisoners held by the British. From the deck of a ship he witnessed the bombardment of which he would write.
His poem would not become our Anthem for nearly a 100 years (strange as it may sound). Indeed, prior to its adoption the music most commonly considered to be a "national anthem" was "Hail Columbia".
There are today some who want the National Anthem changed. The "Star Spangled Banner" is, they say, too violent to represent America.
However, America is nothing if it is not about courage. Not just the courage to face a foe, but to face life every day, to meet every challenge, whether offered by whims of chance that may see a hurricane or other natural disaster strike, or a blow swung by a terrorist from a clear sky. Courage must always be a part of the national character, and that is what the Star Spangled Banner is about.
There is much happening in the world today, much happened today in the past. It was on this day that the event that would lead to out National Anthem occurred. The British forces, fresh from their successful capture, and burning, of our capitol, began their bombardment of Fort McHenry.
On one of the English ships was Francis Scott Key, there to negotiate the exchange of American prisoners held by the British. From the deck of a ship he witnessed the bombardment of which he would write.
His poem would not become our Anthem for nearly a 100 years (strange as it may sound). Indeed, prior to its adoption the music most commonly considered to be a "national anthem" was "Hail Columbia".
There are today some who want the National Anthem changed. The "Star Spangled Banner" is, they say, too violent to represent America.
However, America is nothing if it is not about courage. Not just the courage to face a foe, but to face life every day, to meet every challenge, whether offered by whims of chance that may see a hurricane or other natural disaster strike, or a blow swung by a terrorist from a clear sky. Courage must always be a part of the national character, and that is what the Star Spangled Banner is about.
posted by Federation Commander at 7:04 PM
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