Old Glory’s Song

1. Old Glory’s Song Prepared by Dave Hinck September 18th, 2010

2. The Star-Spangled Banner baseball Francis Scott Key Fort McHenry Click any image to proceed. Old Glory

3. The Star Spangled Banner Random thoughts of a cluttered non-traditional student mind I have never understood why our national anthem (stanza one) ended with such an open-ended question. If it had been up to me, the last stanza is by far the more appropriate choice for our anthem. Oh, say, can you see, by the dawn's early light, What so proudly we hailed at the twilight's last gleaming? Whose broad stripes and bright stars, thru the perilous fight, O'er the ramparts we watched, were so gallantly streaming? And the rockets' red glare, the bombs bursting in air, Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there. O say, does that star-spangled banner yet wave O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave?On the shore dimly seen through the mists of the deep, Where the foe's haughty host in dread silence reposes, What is that which the breeze, o'er the towering steep, As it fitfully blows, half conceals, half discloses? Now it catches the gleam of the morning's first beam, In full glory reflected, now shines on the stream: Tis the star-spangled banner: O, long may it wave O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave! And where is that band who so vauntingly swore That the havoc of war and the battle's confusion A home and a country should leave us no more? Their blood has washed out their foul footsteps' pollution. No refuge could save the hireling and slave From the terror of flight or the gloom of the grave: And the star-spangled banner in triumph doth wave O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave.     O, thus be it ever when freemen shall stand, Between their loved home and the war's desolation! Blest with victory and peace, may the heav'n-rescued land Praise the Power that hath made and preserved us a nation! Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just, And this be our motto: "In God is our trust" And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!

4. 1918 World Series Despite the fact that the Star-Spangled Banner was not yet the official national anthem, it made its first appearance at a major sporting event in 1918. During the seventh inning of the first game of the 1918 World Series, between the Boston Red Sox and the Chicago Cubs, a band played the song as a tribute to the soldiers that were fighting in World War I. Since then, it has become a staple of American sporting events. Babe Ruth Click Picture Click here to hear Whitney Houston’s famous rendition at Super Bowl 25

5. At only the age of 19, Ruth was signed by Jack Dunn, the owner of the Baltimore Orioles. At that time, the Orioles were a farm club for the Boston Red Sox. When the other players saw the strapping young Ruth, they referred to him as "Jack's newest babe.“ George Herman Ruth, Jr. was known as the "Babe“ ever since. Before being traded to the New York Yankees, Babe was a star pitcher for the Red Sox. In 1918 he was the winning pitcher in game one of the World Series. Why is this significant? Because that game was the first game to feature the Star Spangled Banner. The Great Bambino Random thoughts of a cluttered non-traditional student mind This story is as American as it gets. It’s only fitting that the country’s most beloved pass-time be the launching point for such a meaningful tradition.

6. Click the blue stars to reveal facts about the flag. This is the actual flag that flew over Fort McHenry when it was attacked by the British in 1814. It was the inspiration for Francis Scott Key’s Star Spangled Banner. Click here for more information on the flag.

7. The Stars are made of cotton

8. The Hole is was one of The flag’s 15 stars and it was cut out and given away in the 1800s.

9. The original flag was 30’ x 42’. It is now 30’ x 34’ due to the fact that small pieces were cut off and given away as 1800s patriotic keepsakes. Random thoughts of a cluttered non-traditional student mind If there had been ebay in the 1800s, there would be nothing left of this symbol of American perseverance.

10. An “A” was sewn onto the flag by Louisa Armistad. She was the widow of the commander of Fort McHenry.

11. Fort McHenry On September 14, 1814, U.S. soldiers at Baltimore’s Fort McHenry raised a huge American flag to celebrate a crucial victory over British forces during the War of 1812. The sight of those “broad stripes and bright stars” inspired Francis Scott Key to write a song that eventually became the United States national anthem In 1931. Click the painting for more photos of Fort McHenry.

13. Francis Scott Key On September, 13, 1814, attorney Francis Scott Key boarded a British troopship that was anchored four miles away from Fort McHenry. From there he witnessed the twenty-five hour bombardment of the fort. He had boarded the ship to negotiate the release of an American civilian imprisoned American civilian who had been detained on board. The next day, as the dawn’s early light revealed a flag flying over the fort, Key was inspired to jot down the lines of the song that would become our national anthem.