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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Seven Surprising Star-Spangled Facts

Key had a father who fought in George Washington’s Continental Army, but an uncle who was a British loyalist. Key was deeply religious and had considered a career as a minister instead of a lawyer. Key and his wife Mary (aka. Polly) had 11 kids. Key inherited a family plantation as well as slaves. He…

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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Banner Moment #1—August 1, 1779—Francis Scott Key is Born

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Music Lesson-Learning about Francis Scott Key and the song The Star-Spangled Banner

Students will be learning about Francis Scott Key, the Battle at Fort McHenry, and the story of the composition of The Star-Spangled Banner.  Students will be learning to sing the song, The Star-Spangled Banner through several methods such as listening, repeating the words in rhythm, and reading the words and following along with the music…

Visual Art Lesson—Studying Paintings of the Battle at Fort McHenry

In preparation for the 200th anniversary of The Star-Spangled Banner, students will learn about the Battle at Fort McHenry by studying paintings portraying this event.  Students will also study the painting By the Dawn’s Early Light painted for the 100th anniversary of the Battle at Fort McHenry. Lesson: 1. Study three paintings of the Battle…

O Say Can You Sequence?

Grades 2-4 by Kathryn S. Gallagher PS13Q The Greatest Flag That Ever Flew details the creation of “The Star Spangled Banner” through the eyes of Caroline Pickersgill, daughter of flag maker Mary Pickersgill. Students will sequence this key event in American history, and give voice to Grace Wisher, a young apprentice largely lost to history. Goals and Objectives…