Download Anthem: A Historical Investigation

Anthem: A Historical Investigation
Lesson 3: Land of the Free, Home of the Brave
Becoming the Anthem
Video Questions
As you watch the video segment, focus on the following questions. Take notes in the spaces below.
1. How did The Star-Spangled Banner become a popular song?
The broadsides for the song were quickly published and distributed. People sang the song in
theaters and its popularity spread. People sang it to express their joy and relief over the successful
defense of Fort McHenry. Years after the war, people performed the song to express their
patriotism. John Philip Sousa encouraged the performance of the song.
2. Why did some Americans still consider the War of 1812 to be a victory for the United States?
Although the war maintained the status quo, Americans considered it a U.S. victory because they
successfully protected their interests against a superpower—Great Britain.
3. What other songs were also considered possibilities for the official national anthem of the United
States?
America the Beautiful and Hail Columbia
4. What were some of the objections to making The Star-Spangled Banner the national anthem?
Some people believed it was a drinking song since it began as a gentlemen’s club song. Others felt
the song was too belligerent because it was a war song. In addition, people objected to The StarSpangled Banner because it is a difficult song to sing.
5. Why did Maryland groups such as the Maryland Daughters of 1812 have a special interest in
making The Star-Spangled Banner the national anthem?
Marylanders wanted to honor the people and events connected to The Star-Spangled Banner.
Francis Scott Key was from Maryland and the defense of Baltimore was a significant battle in the
war.
6. What role did each of the following people play in spreading the influence of The Star-Spangled
Banner?
John Philip Sousa - United States Marine Band leader performed the song worldwide, increasing
awareness of the song
Mrs. Holloway - Petitioned her congressional representative to make the song the national anthem.
John Charles Linthicum - Maryland Congressmen drafted a bill to make the song the national
anthem.
President Herbert Hoover - Signed legislation into law making the song the national anthem in
1931.
The Anthem Project
Lesson 3 Video Answers
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