Defense of Fort M’Henry | It Is What It Is

~~September 4, 2016~~

HISTORY BEHIND THE NATIONAL ANTHEM

I find it very interesting how, when any event takes place, I like to go back and look for the history behind it.

Why did the event take place?

Colin Kaepernick’s statement is such a situation for me.

I’m not a football fan. I’d never heard of Kaepernick.

I sure know about him now!

I have been following the stories about excessive force in law enforcement events since Trayvon Martin’s death. It really came to my full attention with Michael Brown’s death.

Since then, I’ve been up on follow up events, situations and details.

I followed Tamir Rice, Eric Garner, Sandra Bland, Alton Sterling, Philando Castile … many more in between and many after.

I consider myself to be a fair, balanced individual.

There’s no doubt in my mind that these are instances of excessive police force.

Rather than de-escalation, it’s escalation.

It’s more prevalent within the African-American population.

This is the message that Keapernick is trying to bring to the forefront.

Seems to me he’s done a good job at calling attention to this matter.

Here’s some history behind that national anthem.

Did you know?

I didn’t.

HortyRex©

The Forgotten Verses of “The Star-Spangled Banner”

Do you know all the words to “The Star-Spangled Banner”?

Many people have difficulty memorizing the lyrics of the first verse of this song, which is commonly performed at sports events and other public gatherings. But did you know that there are three additional verses that we almost never hear?

In 1814, the poet and lyricist Francis Scott Key penned the lyrics to “The Star-Spangled Banner,” originally known as “Defense of Fort M’Henry.” During the War of 1812, Key witnessed the attacks on Baltimore and wrote the words based on his experiences this night. These lyrics were printed in local newspapers and set to the tune of an existing song called “Anacreon in Heaven,” and then officially arranged by John Philip Sousa. Key’s famous lyrics entered the world as a broadside ballad, or a song written on a topical subject, and printed for wide distribution.

More than a century later, in 1916, President Woodrow Wilson signed an executive order designating “The Star-Spangled Banner” as the national anthem, and in 1931, the US Congress confirmed the decision. The tune has kicked off ceremonies of national importance and athletic events ever since.

While the first verse of “The Star-Spangled Banner” is widely known by the American public, the last three verses are generally omitted in performances.

“As it appears in … full credit”

For full read and lyrics

http://blog.dictionary.com/star-spangled-banner/

~~GRAPHICS SOURCE~~

Google Images

I do not own these images.

No intention of taking credit.

If anyone knows the owner of any, please advise and it will be corrected immediately.

HortyRex©

~~GALLERY~~

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~Nine Things You May Not Know About “The Star-Spangled Banner”~

Francis Scott Key intended his verses to be song lyrics, not poetry

Key was not imprisoned on a British warship when he penned his verses

The flag Key “hailed at the twilight’s last gleaming” did not fly “through the perilous fight”

The song was not originally entitled “The Star-Spangled Banner”

(“Defense of Fort M’Henry”)

It did not become the national anthem until more than a century after it was written

The national anthem has four verses

Key opposed American entry into the War of 1812

Key was a consummate Washington insider

Key was a one-hit wonder who might have been tone deaf

“As it appears in … full read/full credit”

http://www.history.com/news/9-things-you-may-not-know-about-the-star-spangled-banner

#AtTheEndOfTheDay #ColinKaepernick #StraSpangledBanner #NationalAnthem #AwesomeGraphics #SitAgain #NationalAnthem #StandUp #Patriotism #HomeOfTheFree #JoiningInSpirit #ProtestInjustice #InThisNation #Statement #Message #FreedomOfSpeech #FirstAmendment #UglyHistory #PoetLyricist #FrancisScottKey #DefenseOfFortMHenry #PresidentWoodrowWilson #AnacreonInHeaven #BlackPeople #PeopleOfColor #BeTheirVoice

#WeAllAreOne #ItIsWhatItIs #DrRex #HortyRex #hrexachwordpress

~Colin Kaepernick and the ugly history of the Star-Spangled Banner~