BELLWORK: Star Spangled Banner1. Who was the poem written for? 2. What was the purpose of the poem? 3. What topic or concern of the era does the poem

represent? 4. What does the poem reveal about the artist and the

Key’s viewpoint? Do you agree with this viewpoint? 5. What does the piece say about what life was like in

the past? 6. What is Francis Scott Key’s overall tone? (happy,

proud, scared, worried, etc.)

The Star Spangled Banner!The Star Spangled Banner!

• Francis Scott Key• Detained in a British ship outside

Ft. McHenry in Baltimore, Maryland

• As dawn was approaching, he saw the failed British bombardment of the fort

• A lawyer, he was part of a delegation negotiating the release of American prisoners and was compelled to remain on board a Royal Navy warship

• The night’s intense bombardment inspired his poem “The Star-Spangled Banner,” which became the words off the Unites States’ national anthem

Ft. McHenry

Star Spangled Banner FUN FACTS!• Made in Baltimore, Maryland in July-August 1813 by flag maker Mary Pickersgill• Creation was commissioned by Major George Armistead, commander of Ft. McHenry• Pickersgill was under government contract and was assisted by her daughter, two

nieces and a black slave. (Paid $405)• Original size: 30 feet by 42 feet• ¼ size of a basketball court!• Fifteen stars and Fifteen stripes• Preserved by the Armistead family as a memento of the battle. The family would

eventually give away over 200 square feet to war veterans (including one of the stars!)

• During the Civil War, the Confederate South created their own songs: “Farewell to the Star Spangled Banner” and “Adieu to the Star Spangled Banner forever”

• Key’s poem was first put into song in 1816, and in 1931, President Hoover named it the official anthem of the U.S.

• The song was heavily criticized as being too violent, too difficult to sing, and by prohibitionists, basically a drinking song.

• Since 1964, it’s been on display at the Museum of Natural History

War of 1812 Cartoon Strip• This is due Monday and worth 40 points!