Star-Spangled Myth #8: Igor Stravinsky's Mug Shot & "Illegal" Anthem

MYTH #8: A mug shot offers proof of composer Igor Stravinsky’s arrest by the Boston Police for desecrating a national symbol after conducting a performance of his own arrangement of “The Star-Spangled Banner” with the Boston Symphony. CORRECTION: The supposed mug shot is actually part of Stravinsky’s 1940 visa application for residence in the United…

Star Spangled Songbook Published!

Our book of sheet music and anthem history—the Star Spangled Songbook—has been published to mark the song’s 201st anniversary!The Star Spangled Songbook tells a largely forgotten story of the United States of America—of the symbiosis of both anthem and nation—in more than seventy songs with full text and performable sheet music. These all-new scholarly editions…

Banner Moment #9: August 18, 1969—Hendrix Plays the Anthem at Woodstock

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A Celebration of Two Centuries of a Song — 4PM Live Stream

Two hundred years ago today, the “dawn’s early light” broke over Fort McHenry and illuminated a flag symbolizing resilience and courage. Two hundred years later, the song written by Francis Scott Key in praise of the fort’s defenders still waves over the nation, celebrating the commitment of American citizens to the day-to-day requirements of democracy.Today…

Banner Moment #7—March 3, 1931—Key's Song Made Official U.S. Anthem by Congress

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Banner Moment #6: Jan. 8, 1917—Key's Song Named "National Anthem" of U.S. Military

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Banner Moments #5: Holmes Adds Civil War Verse to Anthem

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Proudly We Hail! MMB #Anthem200 Halftime Show

RED, WHITE & “GO BLUE!” (Click Here to View Video of the Show) U-M TO HOST ONE OF NATION’S BIGGEST CELEBRATIONS FOR NATIONAL ANTHEM’S 200th BIRTHDAY Michigan Marching Band to perform half-time extravaganza in celebration of “The Star Spangled Banner” bicentennial September 13, 2014, (Ann Arbor, MI) – The University of Michigan will be home…

Banner Moment #4: Inspiration—Key Witnesses American Victory (& History)

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Banner Moment #3—August 19, 1813—Garrison Flag Delivered to Fort McHenry

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