essay about national anthem

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The Star-Spangled Banner

By: History.com Editors

Updated: April 27, 2021 | Original: September 28, 2017

“The Star-Spangled Banner” is the national anthem of the United States. By the time the song officially became the country’s anthem in 1931, it had been one of America’s most popular patriotic tunes for more than a century. The anthem’s history began the morning of September 14, 1814, when an attorney and amateur poet named Francis Scott Key watched U.S. soldiers—who were under bombardment from British naval forces during the War of 1812—raise a large American flag over Fort McHenry in Baltimore, Maryland.

Background: War of 1812

Simmering anger at Britain for interfering in American trade, impressing U.S. sailors into the Royal Navy and standing in the way of westward expansion led the United States to declare war in June 1812.

With British forces distracted by the country’s ongoing war with France, the United States scored some encouraging early victories in the War of 1812 . But in August 1815, British troops invaded Washington, D.C. and set fire to the White House , the Capitol and other government buildings. The Royal Navy then trained its sights on the key seaport of Baltimore, Maryland .

On September 13, U.S. soldiers at Baltimore’s Fort McHenry withstood some 25 hours of British bombardment. Early the next morning, they hoisted a gigantic U.S. flag over the fort, marking a crucial victory and a turning point in what would be considered a second war of American independence.

Francis Scott Key

A Maryland-born attorney with a thriving practice in Washington, D.C., Francis Scott Key watched the bombardment of Fort McHenry from a ship anchored in Baltimore’s harbor.

Key had been helping to negotiate the release of an American civilian, Dr. William Beanes, who had been captured in an earlier battle. As a condition of the release, the British ordered the Americans not to return to shore during the attack on Baltimore.

Who Wrote 'The Star-Spangled Banner'?

Francis Scott Key wrote “The Star Spangled Banner” and its initial verse on the back side of a letter while watching the large American flag waving over the fort that morning. Back in Baltimore, he continued working until he had completed four verses (only one of which is commonly known today).

After a local printer issued the song, originally called “Defence of Fort M’Henry,” two Baltimore newspapers printed it, and it spread quickly to various cities along the East Coast.

By November 1814, Key’s composition had appeared in print for the first time under the name “The Star-Spangled Banner.”

From Drinking Song to American Anthem

Ironically, the melody Key assigned to accompany the lyrics of “The Star-Spangled Banner” was a popular English drinking song called “To Anacreon in Heaven.”

Written around 1775 by John Stafford Smith, the song honored the ancient Greek poet Anacreon, a lover of wine. It was originally performed at a London gentleman’s music club called the Anacreontic Society.

The Anacreontic Song, as it was known, had a track record of popularity in the United States by 1814. In one famous case, defenders of the embattled second president, John Adams , used the tune for a song called “Adams and Liberty.”

Key himself had even used the tune before, as accompaniment for verses he wrote in 1805 commemorating American naval victories in the Barbary War .

Key’s Complicated Legacy

After the war of 1812, Key continued his thriving law career. He served as a member of the “Kitchen Cabinet” of President Andrew Jackson and in 1833 was appointed as a U.S. attorney for the District of Columbia.

He composed other verses over the course of his life, but none received anywhere close to the recognition of “The Star-Spangled Banner.” After contracting pleurisy, Key died in 1843 at the age of 63.

Though his celebrated anthem proclaimed the United States “the land of the free,” Key was in fact a slaveholder from an old Maryland plantation family, and as a U.S. attorney argued several prominent cases against the abolitionist movement. He did speak out against the cruelties of the institution of slavery, but did not see abolition as the solution.

Instead, Key became a leader of the colonization movement, which advocated the relocation of black slaves to Africa and eventually resulted in the modern nation of Liberia .

Growing Popularity of 'The Star-Spangled Banner'

At first, “The Star-Spangled Banner” trailed “Yankee Doodle” and “Hail Columbia” in popularity among patriotic 19th-century tunes. But during and immediately after the Civil War , Key’s song gained a deeper meaning, as the American flag became an increasingly powerful symbol of national unity.

By the 1890s, the U.S military had adopted the song for ceremonial purposes, playing it to accompany the raising and lowering of the colors. In 1916, President Woodrow Wilson signed an executive order designating it “the national anthem of the United States.”

In 1931—more than 100 years after it was composed—Congress passed a measure declaring “The Star-Spangled Banner” as the official national anthem.

History of the National Anthem at Sporting Events

“The Star-Spangled Banner” made its sporting-event debut in September 1918, during that year’s first World Series game between the Chicago Cubs and Boston Red Sox.

In addition to the ongoing toll of World War I , a cloud of violence hung over Chicago’s Comiskey Park, as a bomb had torn apart the Chicago Federal Building just the day before. During the seventh-inning stretch, the military band on hand struck up “The Star-Spangled Banner,” and in a moving spectacle, players and fans alike fell silent and saluted the flag.

The practice soon spread across major league baseball, and into other sports, and eventually became a widely accepted pregame tradition.

While many view the playing of “The Star-Spangled Banner” before sporting events as an important patriotic ritual, over the years some athletes have chosen to protest enduring racial injustices in American society by turning their backs on the flag, refusing to stand or taking a knee while the national anthem is performed.

The Star-Spangled Banner, Smithsonian . “Star-Spangled Banner” writer had complex history on race, The Baltimore Sun . “How the national anthem—and subverting it—became a national tradition,” The Washington Post . “How the National Anthem Has Unfurled,” The New York Times . “The Song Remains the Same,” ESPN the Magazine .

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The Story Behind the Star Spangled Banner

How the flag that flew proudly over Fort McHenry inspired an anthem and made its way to the Smithsonian

Cate Lineberry

On a rainy September 13, 1814, British warships sent a downpour of shells and rockets onto Fort McHenry in Baltimore Harbor, relentlessly pounding the American fort for 25 hours. The bombardment, known as the Battle of Baltimore, came only weeks after the British had attacked Washington, D.C., burning the Capitol, the Treasury and the President's house. It was another chapter in the ongoing War of 1812.

A week earlier, Francis Scott Key, a 35-year-old American lawyer, had boarded the flagship of the British fleet on the Chesapeake Bay in hopes of persuading the British to release a friend who had recently been arrested. Key's tactics were successful, but because he and his companions had gained knowledge of the impending attack on Baltimore, the British did not let them go. They allowed the Americans to return to their own vessel but continued guarding them. Under their scrutiny, Key watched on September 13 as the barrage of Fort McHenry began eight miles away.

"It seemed as though mother earth had opened and was vomiting shot and shell in a sheet of fire and brimstone," Key wrote later. But when darkness arrived, Key saw only red erupting in the night sky. Given the scale of the attack, he was certain the British would win. The hours passed slowly, but in the clearing smoke of "the dawn's early light" on September 14, he saw the American flag —not the British Union Jack—flying over the fort, announcing an American victory.

Key put his thoughts on paper while still on board the ship, setting his words to the tune of a popular English song. His brother-in-law, commander of a militia at Fort McHenry, read Key's work and had it distributed under the name "Defence of Fort M'Henry." The Baltimore Patriot newspaper soon printed it, and within weeks, Key's poem, now called "The Star-Spangled Banner," appeared in print across the country, immortalizing his words—and forever naming the flag it celebrated.

Nearly two centuries later, the flag that inspired Key still survives, though fragile and worn by the years. To preserve this American icon, experts at the National Museum of American History recently completed an eight-year conservation treatment with funds from Polo Ralph Lauren, The Pew Charitable Trusts and the U.S. Congress. And when the museum reopens in summer 2008, the Star-Spangled Banner will be its centerpiece, displayed in its own state-of-the-art gallery.

"The Star-Spangled Banner is a symbol of American history that ranks with the Statue of Liberty and the Charters of Freedom," says Brent D. Glass, the museum's director. "The fact that it has been entrusted to the National Museum of American History is an honor."

Started in 1996, the Star-Spangled Banner preservation project—which includes the flag's conservation and the creation of its new display in the renovated museum—was planned with the help of historians, conservators, curators, engineers and organic scientists. With the construction of the conservation lab completed in 1999, conservators began their work. Over the next several years, they clipped 1.7 million stitches from the flag to remove a linen backing that had been added in 1914, lifted debris from the flag using dry cosmetic sponges and brushed it with an acetone-water mixture to remove soils embedded in fibers. Finally, they added a sheer polyester backing to help support the flag.

"Our goal was to extend [the flag's] usable lifetime," says Suzanne Thomassen-Krauss, the conservator for the project. The intent was never to make the flag look as it did when it first flew over Fort McHenry, she says. "We didn't want to change any of the history written on the artifact by stains and soil. Those marks tell the flag's story."

While the conservators worked, the public looked on. Over the years, more than 12 million people peered into the museum's glass conservation lab, watching the progress.

"The Star-Spangled Banner resonates with people in different ways, for different reasons," says Kathleen Kendrick, curator for the Star-Spangled Banner preservation project. "It's exciting to realize that you're looking at the very same flag that Francis Scott Key saw on that September morning in 1814. But the Star-Spangled Banner is more than an artifact—it's also a national symbol. It evokes powerful emotions and ideas about what it means to be an American."

The Flag's Beginnings

The Star-Spangled Banner's history starts not with Francis Scott Key, but a year earlier with Maj. George Armistead, the commander of Fort McHenry. Knowing that his fort was a likely British target, Armistead told the commander of Baltimore defenses in July 1813 that he needed a flag—a big one. "We, sir, are ready at Fort McHenry to defend Baltimore against invading by the enemy…except that we have no suitable ensign to display over the Star Fort, and it is my desire to have a flag so large that the British will have no difficulty in seeing it from a distance."

Armistead soon hired a 29-year-old widow and professional flagmaker, Mary Young Pickersgill of Baltimore, Maryland, to make a garrison flag measuring 30 by 42 feet with 15 stars and 15 stripes (each star and stripe representing a state). A large flag, but one not unusual for the time. Over the next six weeks, Mary, her daughter, three of Mary's nieces, a 13-year-old indentured servant and possibly Mary's mother Rebecca Young worked 10-hour days sewing the flag, using 300 yards of English wool bunting. They made the stars, each measuring two feet in diameter, from cotton—a luxury item at the time. Initially they worked from Mary's home (now a private museum known as the Flag House), but as their work progressed they needed more room and had to move to Claggett's brewery across the street. On August 19, 1813, the flag was delivered to Fort McHenry.

For making the Star-Spangled Banner, Mary was paid $405.90. She received another $168.54 for sewing a smaller (17 by 25 feet) storm flag, likely using the same design. It was this storm flag—not the garrison flag now known as the Star-Spangled Banner—which actually flew during the battle. The garrison flag, according to eyewitness accounts, wasn't raised until the morning. After the Battle of Baltimore

Armistead remained in command of Fort McHenry for the rest of his life. Historians are not sure how the Armistead family came into possession of the flag, but upon Armistead's death in 1818, his wife Louisa inherited it. It is she who is thought to have sewed the red upside-down "V" on the flag, beginning the stitches for the letter "A." She is also thought to have begun the tradition of giving pieces of the flag away to honor her husband's memory, as well as the memories of the soldiers who defended the fort under his command.

When Louisa died in 1861, she passed the flag down to their daughter Georgiana Armistead Appleton over the legal objections of their son. "Georgiana was the only child born at the fort, and she was named for her father," says Thomassen-Krauss. "Louisa wanted Georgiana to have it."

The Missing Pieces

In 1873, Georgiana loaned the flag to George Preble, a flag historian who until that time had thought the flag was lost. That same year, Preble had the first known photograph of it taken at the Boston Navy Yard and exhibited it at the New England Historic Genealogical Society, where he stored it until 1876.

While the Star-Spangled Banner was in Preble's care, Georgiana allowed him to give away pieces of the flag as he saw fit. Georgiana, herself, had given away cuttings of the flag to other Armistead descendants, as well as family friends. She once noted, "[H]ad we given all that we have been importuned for little would be left to show." This family tradition continued through 1880 with Armistead's grandson giving away the last documented piece, says Thomassen-Krauss.

Several of these cuttings from the Star-Spangled Banner have been located over the years, including about a dozen that are owned by the American History Museum. "We're aware of at least a dozen more that exist in other museums and private collections," says Kendrick.

But a missing 15th star has never been found. "There's a legend that the star was buried with one of the soldiers from Fort McHenry; another says that it was given to Abraham Lincoln," says Kendrick. "But no real evidence has surfaced to support these stories, and the true fate of the star remains one of the Smithsonian's great unsolved mysteries." 100 Years at the Smithsonian

After Georgiana's death, the flag passed to Eben Appleton, Armistead's grandson, who loaned it to the city of Baltimore for the 1880 sesquicentennial celebration. It then remained in a safe-deposit vault in New York City until Appleton loaned it to the Smithsonian in 1907. Five years later, he made the gift permanent, saying he wanted it to belong "to the Institution in the country where it could be conveniently seen by the public and where it would be well cared for."

When the flag arrived at the Smithsonian it was smaller (30 by 34 feet), damaged from years of use at the fort and from pieces being removed as souvenirs. Recognizing its need for repair, the Smithsonian hired Amelia Fowler, an embroidery teacher and well-known flag preserver, in 1914 to replace the canvas backing that had been added in 1873. Having worked on historic flags for the United States Naval Academy, Fowler had patented a method of supporting fragile flags with a linen backing that required a honeycomb pattern of stitches. With the help of ten needlewomen, Fowler spent eight weeks on the flag, receiving $1,243 for the materials and work.

For the next 50 years, with the exception of a brief move during World War II, the Star-Spangled Banner was displayed in what is now the Arts and Industries Building. Because of the flag's size and the dimensions of the glass case it was displayed in, the public never saw the entire flag while it was housed in this location.

That changed after architects designed the new National Museum of History and Technology, now the National Museum of American History, with space to allow the flag to hang. The Star-Spangled Banner remained in Flag Hall from 1964 until 1999, when it was moved to the conservation lab.

With the recent completion of the project, the Star-Spangled Banner will remain an icon of American history that can still be seen by the public. Says Glass, "The survival of this flag for nearly 200 years is a visible testimony to the strength and perseverance of this nation, and we hope that it will inspire many more generations to come."

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Essay on National Anthem

Students are often asked to write an essay on National Anthem in their schools and colleges. And if you’re also looking for the same, we have created 100-word, 250-word, and 500-word essays on the topic.

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100 Words Essay on National Anthem

Introduction.

The National Anthem is a patriotic song that represents a country’s history, traditions, and struggles. It unites people under a common identity.

Significance

National Anthems play a crucial role in fostering a sense of pride and unity among citizens. They are usually played at public gatherings and national events.

It’s important to show respect when the National Anthem is played. This can be by standing up straight and removing your hat.

The National Anthem is more than a song. It’s a symbol of our shared history and values, promoting unity and respect among citizens.

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• Speech on National Anthem

250 Words Essay on National Anthem

A national anthem is a patriotic musical composition representing a country’s identity and pride. It is a symbolic expression of national unity, history, and values, often played during public ceremonies, international events, and sports competitions.

Historical Significance

The tradition of national anthems dates back to the 19th century, with the Netherlands’ “Het Wilhelmus” considered one of the oldest. Anthems often encapsulate significant historical events or struggles, fostering a sense of collective memory and shared heritage.

Cultural Reflection

National anthems reflect the cultural diversity of nations. They vary greatly in style, melody, and lyrics, mirroring the unique traditions, languages, and rhythms of their respective countries. The anthem of Japan, “Kimigayo,” for example, carries the tranquility of Japanese culture, while India’s “Jana Gana Mana” reflects its linguistic diversity.

Symbol of Unity

Amidst diversity, national anthems act as a symbol of unity. They inspire feelings of solidarity and national pride, transcending differences of race, religion, or socio-economic status. When citizens sing their anthem, they express loyalty and commitment to their nation.

Controversies and Debates

Despite their unifying role, national anthems can also be contentious. Disputes often arise over representation, historical accuracy, and inclusivity. For instance, the debate around “The Star-Spangled Banner” in the U.S. highlights issues of racial justice and equality.

In conclusion, national anthems are significant cultural artifacts that embody a nation’s identity, history, and values. While they can be a source of unity, they also reflect societal complexities and can spark important conversations about national identity and inclusivity.

500 Words Essay on National Anthem

The National Anthem is a symbol of pride, identity, and unity for a nation, serving as a musical embodiment of national values and history. It is a unique cultural artifact that intertwines music and poetry to express a country’s collective memory and aspirations.

The Role of a National Anthem

National anthems play a pivotal role in fostering a sense of national identity and unity. They are often performed during national ceremonies, sporting events, and other public gatherings, serving as a reminder of shared history and common values. The lyrics typically reflect the country’s history, struggle for independence, or national characteristics, while the melody often draws on traditional folk music or classical themes, making it easily recognizable and emotionally resonant.

Historical Context

National anthems have a rich and varied history. Some anthems, like the Netherlands’ “Het Wilhelmus,” date back to the 16th century, while others, like South Africa’s “Nkosi Sikelel’ iAfrika,” were only adopted in the 20th century. The circumstances of their creation also vary widely: some were composed in times of war or revolution, others in times of peace. Some were the result of national competitions, while others were adopted unofficially until they were recognized by law.

Symbolism and Interpretation

The interpretation of national anthems can be complex, as they often use symbolic and metaphorical language. This symbolism can be a source of national pride, but it can also lead to controversy. For example, some people may feel that the lyrics of their national anthem do not reflect their personal experiences or beliefs, or that they glorify war or other aspects of the past that are seen as problematic today.

Anthems in a Global Context

In an increasingly globalized world, national anthems can also serve as a tool for international diplomacy. They are often played at international events, such as the Olympics, where they can help to foster a sense of mutual respect and understanding. However, they can also be a source of tension, as when a national anthem is disrespected or misused, it can lead to diplomatic incidents.

In conclusion, national anthems are much more than simple songs. They are powerful symbols of identity and unity, reflecting a nation’s history and values. As such, they deserve to be treated with respect and understanding, both within their own country and in the international community. In this age of global interconnectivity, national anthems continue to serve as a unique tool for expressing national pride and fostering international understanding.

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Home — Essay Samples — Literature — Anthem — History Of The United States’ National Anthem

History of The United States’ National Anthem

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State of the war, defense of fort mchenry, scott key and the creation of the national anthem.

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Essay About National Anthem

“Oh, say can you see? By the dawn’s early lights.” These are lyrics from our national anthem. When heard, most people feel compelled to stand and place their hand over their heart. Others, choose to kneel and make a statement. In this country, you have the freedom to do both. There’s two sides to this story. Which one is right to you? One side of this national anthem story is the traditional hand-over-heart stance. When the national anthem is being played, it’s not just playing to announce the start of a ball game. It’s played to show honor and respect to those who are currently defending our country, the veterans, or and those who have died serving.

Our hearts are touched by the thought of our dear soldiers’ hard work for this country. The other option being brought to life is to kneel while the anthem is being played. This all developed after San Francisco’s former QB, Colin Kaepernick decided to take a daring stance and kneel during the anthem. While this stance did upset several Americans, Kaepernick technically didn’t do anything illegal, based off our First Amendment. He chose to kneel because he believed there was no reason to honor a flag that flew over a country that oppressed people of different ethnic backgrounds besides white. While you may not agree with his stance, you can’t shun the man for sticking with his beliefs. Try not to use contractions in a formal essay The beautiful thing about this country is that we have freedom. While not every human in this world gets a chance to express their thoughts or beliefs, this great country allows us to do so.

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Not every human will agree with what you think, but if you want to speak it, you can. America is the land of the free and the home of the brave. Colin Kaepernick’s stance isn’t brave but it is freely allowed thanks to our rights. If a person doesn’t agree with what Kaepernick is doing, they, too, can express their opinion and it’s freely allowed. That’s the beauty of it all. “Oh, say does that star spangled banner yet wave. O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave.” These are lyrics from our national anthem. Whether you stand or kneel, this anthem will forever be dear to this country. You have that right and you should hold tightly to it.

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National Anthem and Patriotism

The discourse over of the act of kneeling during the national anthem or pledge of allegiance has turned into a focal point of the news media because of racial biases and improprieties against minorities. It has started a discussion among individuals throughout in the United States on account of the error between the plan of the activity versus its elucidation.

In 2016, Colin Kaepernick, the quarterback for the NFL team the San Francisco 49ers, concluded that he would not stand when the national anthem was played at football games. His objective was to speak out against police brutality and the systemic injustice against minority groups that exists in the United States by utilizing his prominence and media impact to bring the issues to the forefront of social discussions in the country.

The First Amendment gives all American citizens the right to free speech. Kaepernick chose to utilize his Constitutional rights to challenge what he believes to be a nation-wide social issue in a non-violent manner, while still sending an effective message. However, some individuals view Kaepernick’s activism as being disrespectful to America’s values and to the troops who fight to protect America’s freedom and security. By not standing to respect the flag amid the national anthem, he has received intense criticism for not respecting the nation that has given him the freedom and opportunities he has today.

Kaepernick actions deserve a responses nike, people of every ethnicity and social media were some of the few people who acknowledged his action. Nike supported Kaepernick by using a quote he made up “Believe in something even if it means sacrificing everything”(kaepernick colin,just do it campaign ). People felt like this was a sign of disrespect to there home land so they started to protest by burning nike merchandise to show patriotism. This caused a lot for the actions he did to protest racial shamefulness and police brutality.Everything we see through the media it brought many players together and joined Kaepernick by kneeling in their games, for example, the ‘White Patriot’ rally in Charlottesville,VA.These movements brought many politics like Donald Trump. Likewise, there has been some genuine thought for how understudy competitors can and should deal with their convictions.

African-American anthem protesters adhere to an alternative view of basic patriotism that dates back to what W.E.B. Du Bois coined as ‘twofold cognizance’ — the sentiment of being a piece of the American commonwealth, yet not completely of it. This insider-outcast status has driven a longstanding battle among black Americans to discover room in the political framework that has denied them full citizenship.

The ‘Star-Spangled Banner’ itself has been a subject of that battle. This mainly stems from the fact that Francis Scott Key, a slave-owner and Washington legal counselor, composed the song to celebrate the American victory over the British amid the War of 1812. The tune would not uncertainty have been lost to obscurity to the general American public had the United States military not appropriated it for banner functions and other symbolic uses starting in the late nineteenth century. This history appears to show the mixed connotations of the anthem with respect to the African American populace, especially if one considers context of abhorrent treatment to African American since the abolition of slavery such as the prevalence of lynchings in the Deep South. Some may even consider the patriotic fanfare to be straight of hypocritical since both the flag and national anthem were proudly displayed during famous baseball games when African-Americans were banned from playing or even viewing white baseball.

Many African American civil rights groups and activists saw this glaring association. One such organization was the Negro Press, whose extraordinary daily papers of the mocked and alluded the tune to be the ‘The Caucasian National Hymn.’ Black writers undermined the melody by uncovering a long forgotten line in the third stanza that read, ‘No asylum could spare the worker and slave/from the fear of flight or the anguish of the grave’. Black activists at the time interpreted this line as the arranger’s anger and the indignation he felt towards the British government, who guaranteed of liberation to select oppressed African-Americans who helped the British forces during the War of 1812.

By the mid-twentieth century, African-Americans who felt scorned by the racist sentiments exposed in the anthem and who were fed up with general racial persecution faced in the country started to substitute ‘Star-Spangled Banner’ with ‘Lift Every Voice and Sing’ as their song of allegiance. This song, also known as the Negro national song of praise, was composed by James Weldon Johnson and his sibling, John Rosamond Johnson. Many African Americans saw this song as a true anthem of allegiance and as a recognition of being loyal to a power higher than the U.S. government, the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. In addition, the song recognized, included, dignified, and validated the tough and oppressive history African Americans faced while being apart of this nation, something many people felt that the national anthem failed to do. This can be seen with entries such as ‘We have come, treading our way through the blood of the butchered’, which acknowledged the reality of lynching and bondage in the national history.

The perceived belligerent and jingoistic values in the ‘Star-Spangled Banner’ would be omnipresent in daily American life, as Americans revived it to the mainstream amid World War II, giving the possibility of patriotism an undeniably restricted — and battle-ready — reverberation. The Negro press connected Du Bois’ twofold awareness commandingly amid this period: it portrayed the war as a fight to crush two adversaries — Nazism abroad and Jim Crow isolation at home.

The dark papers additionally brought up the fraud of showcasing American opportunity in the melody when servicemen and servicewomen of color were kept on army bases where segregated lodging, motion picture theaters, and transports was all too common. With soldiers of color being exposed to segregation and rampant racism even though they sacrificed their lives for the opportunity to protect American freedom and way of life abroad, the various social symbols that represented America — including the national anthem — began to be subject to deconstruction and negative feedback.

This demeanor is still broadly held among African-Americans. An ongoing survey shows that 66% of African American trust that the national anthem protests started by Colin Kaepernick are worthy. This is in stark contrast to fact that the same survey showed that most whites oppose this idea. Furthermore, the idea that individuals are considered patriotic just because they sing of stand for the national anthem still holds influence in the mainstream. Many whites interpret the song as peak patriotism.

According to its definition, patriotism is the pride of and devotion to one’s homeland. However, explaining the concept comprehensively is rather complicated. Patriotism is a difficult idea that depends heavily on the country it is displayed in, as well as on the country’s historical and geopolitical background. Some patriots may put more emphasis on politics, while others focus on the geographic qualities of their other country. In the United States, patriotism is seen as an essential part of the American culture. More than half of the population owns an American flag and almost as many own apparels with the patriotic symbols on it. Phenomena such as flag ownership seem to occur across all generational groups. American patriotism is rooted in conservative values which include honor, loyalty, and bravery among others. Thus Americans serving in the military and fighting in a war are regarded highly. Joining the army is a reasonable choice for Americans to display their patriotism, but also a way to ensure financial stability. Veterans are respected, though in reality, they often struggle to find their place in society after returning from war. Independence Day and the Fourth of July are arguably the most patriotic holidays for Americans. Although it is not officially connected to the military, it often includes the displaying of the American flag, American merchandise, parades and political speeches along with fireworks and lots of food.

According to New York Times “The National Football League’s decision to punish the protesters was through a threat of fines sets the stage for a potentially combustible football season” (Johnson, pg1). The National Football League’s choice to reduce the dissents through the risk of fines sets the scene for a possibly controversial football season that will correspond with the midterm races and will give the president the unprecedented opportunity to abuse racial divisions. The association’s choice is probably going to radicalize players who have come to trust. They have a task to carry out in the discussion about police brutality and the resurgence of racial oppression in the time of Donald Trump. Kneeling on the field may have been quite recently the start.

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EssayEmpire

National anthems essay.

National anthems, songs, or hymns adopted by certain nations are performed at official functions of those governments or other public events (baseball games, concerts). Many evoke loyalty to the country or its head of state (king, queen). Text and melody are often written by two or more different people.

Origins Of Anthems

Occasionally there is a noteworthy composer, such as Josef Haydn (Austria, Germany), or Charles Gounod (Vatican), associated with a nation’s anthem. The original Austrian anthem was composed by Haydn in 1797. Germany adopted this tune, applying the text in 1950. The current Austrian anthem, adopted in 1947, is attributed to Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, although evidence shows it was composed after his death.

Former colonies sometimes use the anthems of the countries that colonized them, and sometimes multiple countries in geographical proximity have identical anthems (Cape Verde and Guinea-Bissau). Some countries’ anthems use words of the same author or poet: Rabindranath Tagore’s text for the anthems of India and Bangladesh; Francisco Esteban Acuña de Figueroa’s text for the anthems of Paraguay and Uruguay. Estonia and Finland use the same melody.

Musical Forms Of Anthems

Today, there are five principal musical forms used in anthems, although others exist. Most tend to be in a duple meter (two or four beats per measure), and a few others in triple meter (three beats per measure).

• Hymns. This form tends to be used in the oldest national anthems, including those of England, continental Europe, and their former colonies. Most noteworthy is Thomas Arne’s 1745 rendition of God Save the King, the British hymn. Words have often been altered to reflect another nation’s patriotism, as in America’s version of the tune, My Country ’Tis of Thee. Denmark, Sweden, Switzerland, Russia, and Germany have also used this tune as their anthems. Liechtenstein does today. Until 1974, Australia used God Save the King/Queen, as did Canada until 1980.
• Marches. France’s La Marseillaise, adopted in 1795, is also the national anthem of nine other countries, from Martinique to New Caledonia.
• Folk music. Cambodia’s Som pouktepda (Heaven Protects Our King), was adopted in 1941. Japan, Tibet, and Sri Lanka also based their anthems on folk music. Mauritania’s national anthem, based on a traditional tune, is instrumental only.
• Fanfares. These are often instrumental, without text. This form has been adopted by Middle Eastern nations, such as Qatar, Kuwait, and the United Arab Emirates. For Belarus, the words are not in use today.
• Operatic anthems. These are prevalent in Central and South America, that of El Salvador being one of the longest.

Contents Of Anthems

Anthems may evoke different emotions, based on their geographic origins. Countries in peace have generally chosen anthems that highlight their scenic or natural beauty. These extol the virtues of the land. Australia refers to the radiant Southern Cross, Barbados to fields, and Burundi to a gentle country. Chile extols its blue sky and snow-covered mountains. China highlights the Great Wall.

Some focus upon a national hero, such as Denmark’s King Christian. Similar to that of the United States (Star-Spangled Banner), the anthem of Honduras salutes its flag (Tu bandera es un lampo de cielo [Your Flag is a Strip of Sky]). Others describe the colors and features of their flag in song (Costa Rica, Djibouti, Ghana, the Maldives). Some praise their freedom or liberations—Andorra’s reflects on eleven centuries of freedom. Those of Angola and the Comoros invoke their days of independence. Others identify the name of the nation (Malawi, Kyrgyzstan, Papua New Guinea).

Several anthems are prayers, such as God Save the King of Britain. In religious overtones, Bhutan’s extols the Thunder Dragon and Buddha, while Brunei’s exalts Allah. Many others speak to their gods, while India’s finds salvation in seven major religions. La Marseillaise served as a call to arms, not only for France, but to some extent for the Confederate States of America.

Unofficial And Changing Anthems

At times, unofficial anthems have inspired allegiance to a new cause or produced ire in a nation’s opponents. During the U.S. Civil War (1861–1865), John Brown’s Body, set to a melody of William Steffe, was assigned new text by Julia Ward Howe as the Battle Hymn of the Republic. This tune and the Star-Spangled Banner were also used in temperance songs, with altered text suited to that political issue. When the Confederate States of America formed, several songs became unofficial anthems, the leading one being I Wish I was in Dixie, by Daniel Decatur Emmett, a northern minstrel performer. Another song, The Bonnie Blue Flag, composed by Harry McCarthy and harmonized and published by A. E. Blackmar in New Orleans, so infuriated Union General Benjamin Butler that in 1862 he destroyed the publishing house of Blackmar and fined any one even whistling the tune.

During times of crisis, other national songs become unofficial anthems, as when, in the post-9/11 United States, God Bless America was sung during baseball games. Some unofficial anthems are covert. A national anthem of Tibet, based on ancient Tibetan sacred music and with words by Trijang Rinpoche, is not used inside Tibet.

Regime changes have caused several anthems to change as well. In 1941, Cambodia adopted Nokoreach (“Royal Kingdom”), which started with the phrase, “Heaven protects our king.” But in 1970 the Khmer Rouge chose an anthem that began, “Khmers are known throughout the world as descendants of glorious warriors.” From 1975 to 1989, Kampuchea (the renamed totalitarian state of Cambodia) used another anthem. In 1993, Cambodia reverted to the 1941 anthem. In 1978, during its Cultural Revolution, China attempted to change its anthem’s words, but the original words were restored by 1982. Cuba’s anthem has remained the same for nearly a century and a half, having first been sung in 1868 during the Battle of Bayamo.

Bibliography:

• Nettl, Paul. National Anthems. 2nd, enl. ed. New York: Frederick Ungar, 1967.
• Reed,W. L., and M. J. Bristow, eds. National Anthems of the World. 9th ed. New York: Cassell, 1997.
• Slovak Radio Symphony Orchestra, Peter Breiner, conductor. The Complete National Anthems of the World. 2005. Marco Polo 8.225319–8.225326.

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Title: analyzing musical characteristics of national anthems in relation to global indices.

Abstract: Music plays a huge part in shaping peoples' psychology and behavioral patterns. This paper investigates the connection between national anthems and different global indices with computational music analysis and statistical correlation analysis. We analyze national anthem musical data to determine whether certain musical characteristics are associated with peace, happiness, suicide rate, crime rate, etc. To achieve this, we collect national anthems from 169 countries and use computational music analysis techniques to extract pitch, tempo, beat, and other pertinent audio features. We then compare these musical characteristics with data on different global indices to ascertain whether a significant correlation exists. Our findings indicate that there may be a correlation between the musical characteristics of national anthems and the indices we investigated. The implications of our findings for music psychology and policymakers interested in promoting social well-being are discussed. This paper emphasizes the potential of musical data analysis in social research and offers a novel perspective on the relationship between music and social indices. The source code and data are made open-access for reproducibility and future research endeavors. It can be accessed at this http URL .

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Fans Loved The Final Four National Anthem Performed By The Athletes

O n Saturday, the NCAA continued a beloved tradition by having student-athletes sing the national anthem to kick off the Final Four.

This year's edition in Arizona featured students from NC State, Purdue, UConn and Alabama.

The students performed a great rendition of the anthem, and fans were loving it.

"The student singers for the national anthem are always a highlight at the Final Four," said one fan .

"I hope I never stop getting goosebumps every time I watch the singing of the National Anthem!," said another fan .

"Thrill of a lifetime! I like how they have students representing each school, singing the National Anthem together," another fan added .

"Good job NCAA for having students sing the national anthem," said one fan .

"That National Anthem was ELECTRIC," another fan said .

The student representatives to sing the anthem on Saturday included Alabama diver Paul Mathews, UConn soccer player Caroline Sheehan, NC State volleyball's Jada Allen and Purdue cheerleader Nicole Ryan.

The four students were joined by the Arizona State University student chorus, representing their school nearly half an hour away from the Tempe campus in Glendale.

“If I have the opportunity to do so I love to take advantage of it just because to be able to share music with the world is a gift I have been given by God," Alabama's Mathews said about the chance to sing the anthem at the Final Four .

"To be a student and bleed crimson, I am really excited to be a part of that atmosphere."

Mathews' school, the Alabama Crimson Tide, will compete in the second game of the night, as they'll take on the defending national champions UConn.

The first game of the night, featuring the NC State Wolfpack and the Purdue Boilermakers, is already underway.

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Lsu atheltic director addresses concerns regarding athletes attending national anthem during games.

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Louisiana State University is addressing concerns regarding college athletes being in attendance for the national anthem.

The issue came to light Monday night when a viral video showed the LSU Women's Basketball team not in attendance for the national anthem during the Elite 8 game against the Iowa Hawkeyes.

LSU Head Coach Kim Mulkey said the move was not intentional, but the outcry caught the attention of Gov. Jeff Landry.

Landry issued a statement saying that he believed student-athletes who aren't in attendance for the national anthem should risk losing their scholarships.

He issued a letter to LSU regarding his concerns, and LSU responded in a statement on X, formerly known as Twitter.

The statement from LSU read:

"We have reviewed Governor Landry's letter on the national anthem. At LSU, we have and will always be dedicated to the flag, the anthem and the country. We consistently look at our processes and will do so again. As Louisiana's flagship university, LSU always strives to represent the higher ideals and values of our students, our state, and our country," Director of Athletics Scott Woodward said in the issued statement.

Landry shared the statement to his page on X, thanking LSU for addressing his concerns.

Landry's statement read:

"Thank you Scott #LSUAthleticDirector for your leadership as well as the entire LSU community. This has never been about Coach Mulkey, a stalwart of our time, great citizen of Louisiana and patriot! Nor about our girl's basketball team, who have beat the critics and rose to the challenges and brought great pride to our State!

"This is about traditions and consistencies, that without either, we remain consistently divided! Now it is time for the @NCAA and #NCAA President @CharlieBakerMA to step up and show leadership. I look forward to seeing our country’s patriotism on full display this weekend during the Final Four tournament."

Thank you Scott #LSUAthleticDirector for your leadership as well as the entire LSU community. This has never been about Coach Mulkey, a stalwart of our time, great citizen of Louisiana and patriot!  Nor about our girl's basketball team, who have beat the critics and rose to the… https://t.co/e79gUvnSGZ — Jeff Landry (@JeffLandry) April 5, 2024

Earlier reports:

Louisiana State University Women's Basketball Coach Kim Mulkey is addressing criticism after the team missed the national anthem during the Elite 8 game against Iowa Monday night.

Social media backlash quickly made the rounds online once the posted video showed Caitlin Clark's Hawkeyes as the only team on the court while the anthem was played.

Iowa players holding hands during the American National Anthem. LSU players left the court before the anthem was performed. pic.twitter.com/GhCLHUXiBX — Dan Zaksheske (@RealDanZak) April 1, 2024

Mulkey addressed the moment in the post-game news conference, saying that the team did not intentionally skip the national anthem.

"Honestly, I don't even know when the anthem was played," said Mulkey. "We have a routine where the team comes off the court at the 12-minute mark, and we do our pre-game stuff," said Mulkey.

Mulkey said that the move was not intentionally done.

Baton Rouge sports journalist Chessa Bouche posted on social media that neither the LSU football or women's basketball teams are on the field and court for the anthem saying, "this wasn’t a one time incident. Clarifying for the national media who doesn’t cover either team day in and day out."

Neither @LSUwbkb or @LSUfootball are out for the national anthem. That’s the point. This wasn’t a one time incident. Clarifying for the national media who doesn’t cover either team day in & dat out. That’s is all! ✌🏼 https://t.co/gcqeik4Jci — Chessa Bouche (@chessabouche) April 2, 2024

You can watch her response at the 37:19 mark in the video below:

Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry weighed in on the move, calling for a policy that would require student athletes be in attendance for the national anthem during games.

His post on X, formerly known as Twitter says:

"My mother coached women’s high school basketball during the height of desegregation, no one has a greater respect for the sport and for Coach Mulkey. However, above respect for that game is a deeper respect for those that serve to protect us and unite us under one flag !

"It is time that all college boards, including Regent, put a policy in place that student athletes be present for the national anthem or risk their athletic scholarship! This is a matter of respect that all collegiate coaches should instill."

My mother coached women’s high school basketball during the height of desegregation, no one has a greater respect for the sport and for Coach Mulkey. However, above respect for that game is a deeper respect for those that serve to protect us and unite us under one flag ! It is… — Jeff Landry (@JeffLandry) April 2, 2024

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Nijole Sadunaite, Lithuanian Nun Who Opposed Soviet Rule, Dies at 85

A dissident who promoted democracy and religious freedom, she was arrested by the K.G.B. After independence from Moscow, she was honored by Lithuania’s Parliament.

By Sam Roberts

Nijole Sadunaite, a fearless but forgiving Roman Catholic nun and anti-Soviet Lithuanian nationalist who was inspired by Pope John Paul II and publicly hailed by President Ronald Reagan, died on March 31 in Vilnius. She was 85.

Her death was confirmed by Sister Gerarda Elena Suliauskaite, laureate of the Freedom Prize of the Republic of Lithuania, which was also given to Sister Sadunaite in 2018 for her defense of democracy and human rights. She was the first woman to receive the award.

In 1975, Sister Sadunaite (pronounced sah-DOO-nay-teh) was arrested by K.G.B. agents who had stormed an apartment where she was writing an underground newspaper, The Chronicle of the Catholic Church in Lithuania, which documented abuses against Christians in the Baltic state.

“I had typed six pages when I was caught, so I effectively got one year for every page,” she told The Atlantic in 1994.

She was incarcerated for six years, most of which she spent in prison and some of which she spent in a mental institution and in exile in a Siberian penal colony.

For most of the 1980s, Sister Sadunaite largely remained out of public view, but she was instrumental in organizing a rally in 1987 that galvanized the movement for Lithuanian independence. Hundreds of Lithuanians thundered the patriotic anthem of national independence, which had been banned by the 1939 nonaggression pact between Hitler and Stalin, a deal that, in effect, condoned the Soviet seizure of Lithuania.

The year of the rally, the manuscript of a memoir she had secretly taken to Moscow six years earlier and smuggled out of the Soviet Union was published in the United States. Titled “A Radiance in the Gulag,” it was reviewed in The Los Angeles Times as “a richly textured narrative of faith in action against overwhelming odds.”

That same year, Sister Sadunaite emerged from hiding to lead a demonstration that vitalized the movement for independence. In 1988, she and other dissidents were invited to lunch at the American embassy in Moscow, and she joined a table with President Reagan and the first lady, Nancy Reagan; Mr. Reagan had been attending summit meetings with the Soviet leader Mikhail S. Gorbachev.

Undaunted by persecution and imprisonment, Sister Sadunaite remained a spirited voice for religious freedom and for national independence from the officially atheistic Soviet Union. Lithuania unilaterally declared independence in 1990.

Felicija Nijole Sadunaite was born on July 22, 1938, in Kaunas, a city in central Lithuania, to Veronika Rimkute-Saduniene and Jonas Sadunas, who was an agronomist and teacher.

Her very religious Roman Catholic family lived in constant fear of being deported to a Siberian labor camp for practicing their religion. In her memoir, she wrote: “Whenever we heard automobile motors roaring early in the morning, we would all run out into the grain fields to hide, lest they take us off to Siberia. This is how most Lithuanians lived, as if on the rim of a volcano.”

In 1956, she was so moved by her friend’s confirmation (she had been confirmed when she was 7) that she joined a clandestine convent and, until her death, served in the monastery of the Congregation of the Maids of the Most Holy Virgin Mary, in Pavilny, a part of Vilnius.

Despite having been trained as a nurse, after her release from prison Sister Sadunaite could find work only as a charwoman under Soviet rule.

While some dissidents would become more conciliatory toward Moscow after the collapse of the Soviet Union, Sister Sadunaite remained steadfastly opposed to the Russian government. But, remarkably, she never expressed bitterness toward her captors or her tormentors. Rather, she repeatedly said that the church’s role in bringing justice was not only to pray for the oppressed, but also to pray that the oppressors themselves would be courageous enough to ask for forgiveness.

“Even if an evil person were in trouble,” she wrote from prison, “I would share my last morsel of bread with him.”

After she was arrested in 1975, K.G.B. officers demanded that she divulge the names of the editors of her underground Catholic newspaper.

She refused. Instead, she told the authorities that they were culpable for any criticism of the government because the editorials were largely in response to the state’s official policy of persecution and anti-religious propaganda.

Sister Sadunaite often said that her activism was inspired in part by the experience of Pope John Paul II, a native of Poland whose resistance to atheism, she said, helped accelerate the collapse of European communism.

“The pope was someone who had escaped from the same system that was oppressing us,” she told The Atlantic.

“He said that people who fight and die for their country are not only martyrs but may be holy,” she said. “We took that to mean that the pope understood what we were doing, and that we should do whatever it took to free our land. He said it again and again. He made me want to be strong and courageous, too, even when I was afraid.”

An earlier version of this obituary misstated the year of the nonaggression pact between Hitler and Stalin. It was 1939, not 1940.

How we handle corrections

Sam Roberts is an obituaries reporter for The Times, writing mini-biographies about the lives of remarkable people. More about Sam Roberts