Before it became a solemn patriotic symbol, 'The Star-Spangled Banner' began life as a raucous English drinking song. Francis Scott Key’s stirring words, inspired by the sight of the American flag ...

"The Star-Spangled Banner" began its life as a poem by Francis Scott Key about seeing the flag flying over Fort McHenry after it was bombarded by British troops in 1814. Long before it became the ...