From early age, children should be taught to respect their country. They should especially be taught how to appreciate the sacrifice of those who fought for the freedom we enjoy today.
One way of paying tribute to the courageous men and women, and to our country, is standing during the National Anthem. Unfortunately, not many youngsters do that nowadays.
The Star Spangled Banner served as the hymns of U.S. officialdom before 1931 and for those of you not familiar with its origins, the lyrics come from the Defence of Fort M’Henry, a poem written in September 1814 by amateur poet Francis Scott Key.
Key witnessed the bombarding of Fort McHenry by British ships of the Royal Navy in Baltimore Harbor during the Battle of Baltimore and it is this event and the gorgeous U.S. flag that inspired the creation of the lyrics every proud American knows by heart.
“The Star-Spangled Banner” is played at sport games and other significant gatherings to send a message that no matter the race, the religion, or the political differences, we are all Americans.
The lyrics along with the music make the anthem pretty challenging to perform. That’s why it’s only sang by professional musicians or played on a recording.