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The U.S. National Anthem: The Star Spangled Banner

The anthem consists of 4 verses and normally only the first is played.

The Star Spangled Banner
Oh, say can you see by the dawn's early light
What so proudly we hailed at the twilight's last gleaming?
Whose broad stripes and bright stars thru the perilous fight,
O'er the ramparts we watched were so gallantly streaming?
And the rocket's red glare, the bombs bursting in air,
Gave proof thru the night that our flag was still there.
Oh, say does that star-spangled banner yet wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave?

On the shore, dimly seen through the mists of the deep,
Where the foe's haughty host in dread silence reposes,
What is that which the breeze, o'er the towering steep,
As it fitfully blows, half conceals, half discloses?
Now it catches the gleam of the morning's first beam,
In full glory reflected now shines in the stream:
'Tis the star-spangled banner! Oh long may it wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave.

And where is that band who so vauntingly swore
That the havoc of war and the battle's confusion,
A home and a country should leave us no more!
Their blood has washed out of of their foul footsteps' pollution.
No refuge could save the hireling and slave'
From the terror of flight and the gloom of the grave:
And the star-spangled banner in triumph doth wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave.

Oh! thus be it ever, when freemen shall stand
Between their loved home and the war's desolation!
Blest with victory and peace, may the heav'n rescued land
Praise the Power that hath made and preserved us a nation.
Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just,
And this be our motto: "In God is our trust."
And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave.

The National Anthem - The Star Spangled Banner

It was during the war of 1812, the so-called 'Second War of Independence', and the heavy bombing of Baltimores's Fort McHenry by British war ships, when Mr. Francis Scott Key, a young respectable advocate, wrote the first lines of 'The Star Spangled Banner'.
Reason for the reference to the American flag was, that he felt so relieved, when he saw the flag still blowing above Fort Henry after the night of the British attack.

'The Star Spangled Banner' should express his delight, his gratification about America's victory over the British.

He wrote these first lines in the aerly morning hours of September 14th, 1814.

The melody was taken from an old 'drinking song' composed by John Stafford Smith in the year 1780, which had the title "To Anacreon in Heaven".

But at this time it wasn't the national Anthem, instead of that former President ruled in 1916 that it has to be played on festive military and naval occasions. It was not before 1931 that The Star Spangled Banner became the nations most important composition by an Act of Congress, which finally agreed.

United States Codes
Title 36 of the United States Code, Section 301 (former 170), regulates:
(a) Designation: The composition consisting of the words and music known as the Star-Spangled Banner is the national anthem.
(b) Conduct During Playing: During a rendition of the national anthem

Conduct during playing

"During a rendition of the national anthem - (1) when the flag is displayed - (A) all present except those in uniform should stand at attention facing the flag with the right hand over the heart; (B) men not in uniform should remove their headdress with their right hand and hold the headdress at the left shoulder, the hand being over the heart; and (C) individuals in uniform should give the military salute at the first note of the anthem and maintain that position until the last note; and (2) when the flag is not displayed, all present should face toward the music and act in the same manner they would if the flag were displayed.."

Brief Biographies

Francis Scott Key (1779-1843), lawyer
Born on August 1st in Terra Rubra, Maryland, where his parents owned a larger estate.
Once a pacifist he changed to a big patriot during the War of 1812, the so-called Second War for Independence. At the time he wrote the famous verses of "The Star Spangled Banner" he was aboard a British war ship as a negotiator of the Americans to convince the British to release the captured physician William Beanes, a friend of Keys. The British agreed but delayed both mens departure, because an attack on Baltimore's Fort Henry was in the making.
Key and Beanes couldn't prevent the attack and had only the choice to observe what would happen.
The next morning after a heavy bombing of Fort Henry he was very relieved to to that the American flag, the Star Spangled Banner, was still flown over the Fort.

John Stafford Smith (1750-1836), composer
Born in Gloucester, Gloucestershire, England.
Member of the well renowned "Anachreonic Society", to which J. S. Bach belonged, too.
1780 he composed the drinking song "To Anacreon in Heaven".

The Pledge

The ceremony is stipulated in the United States Code, Title 4, Ch. 1, Section 4 (The Flag):

The Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag,

"I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands, one Nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.",

should be rendered by standing at attention facing the flag with the right hand over the heart. When not in uniform men should remove their headdress with their right hand and hold it at the left shoulder, the hand being over the heart. Persons in uniform should remain silent, face the flag, and render the military salute.

Allegiance

History of the Pledge of Allegiance

Since 1892, which marks the 400th anniversary of the discovery America's by Columbus, the Pledge of Allegiance is recited in public schools all over the nation.

The text was published in 1892 by an editor of the name Francis Bellamy, who wrote for Boston's 'The Youth's Companion' magazine.

The original text changed only two times over the years: in 1923 participants of the National Flag Conference in Washington D.C. decided to substitute "my flag" by "the Flag of the United States of America". In 1954 president Eisenhower ordered to add the words "under God".

Although Congress recognized the Pledge officially in 1942, the Supreme Court raised up an objection and ruled in 1943 that the morning recitation in schools is contradictory to the first amendment of the Bill of Rights: the freedom of speech.

Nowadays

Today the Pledge of Allegiance is recited during formal protocols, social related events and also e.g. at sport events. Formal protocols means not only events on the federal government level but also smallest meetings on community level.

During the conduction of the ceremony it is differentiated between civilians and military personal: the latter ones, when in uniform, do not recite the text, they are standing at attention, facing the flag rendering the military salute. Military personal not in uniform may recite the text, too, as civilians do.

Synonym for the United States

'Uncle Sam' is today a symbolic name standing for the United States. Historians assume that the expression was coined during the war in 1812. Businessman Samual Wilson from Troy in New York State shipped boxes with canned meat to the troops and on the boxes the initials U.S. respective US could be found. Meant to be as the approval stamp for shipment. Workers of Wilson stated or joked that it would stand for 'Uncle Sam', how they nicknamed Samual Wilson. The troops, of course, initially associated the initials 'U.S.' with United States, because the meat was property of the United States. From the day on when it made the round - may be the workers of Sam Wilson who became soldiers spread the word - that U.S. could or would stand for 'Uncle Sam'... the nickname for the United States of America was established. Property of the U.S. Government was from there on 'property of Uncle Sam', 'a.k.a.' United States Government.

The most famous illustration of Uncle Sam is the Recruiting Poster of 1917 by James Montgomery Flagg (1877-1960), who stated once that he stood his own model, because he wanted to save money for a hired model. The Poster was used during World War I and later in WW II, too.

Different interpretations of the original 'Uncle Sam' look were created over the centuries by artists and cartoonists like Thomas Nast

Eventually, in 1961, Congress passed a resolution that recognized Samuel Wilson as the inspiration for the symbol Uncle Sam. It was John F. Kennedy who signed the bill.

'Uncle' Sam Wilson was born in Menotomy, which is today Arlington, MA., on September 13, 1766. He lived from 1789 until he died on July 31, 1854, in Troy, New York. His grave is on the Oakwood cemetery in Troy.

Stars and Stripes - The American Flag

There were some flag designs before the American colonies became independent on July 4th, 1776. An independence activists group called the Sons of Liberty used a flag with 13 alternating red and white stripes in 1775 which should represent the unity of the colonies. A Massachusetts Navy War Flag showed the New England Pine where nowadays the stars are. The so-called Grand Union Flag a.k.a. Continental flag of 1776 had the British Union Jack in the upper left corner and the 13 stripes.

It was not before June 14, 1777, when the Continental Congress passed the first Flag Act, which introduced the Flag of the new nation as a flag with thirteen alternating red and white stripes and thirteen white stars on a blue field in the upper left corner. The first design was named after Congressman Francis Hopkinson. However, there are different opnions about if the stars were shown as a ring of stars or ordered in rows. The 13 represented states were: DE, PA, NJ, GA, CT, MA, MD, SC, NH, VA, NY, NC, RI.

The 13 stripes for the original states remain part of the U.S. flag until today. However there was one flag that had more: The flag used during the conflict with England from 1812-1815. This flag was the only 15 star/15 Stripes flag and the one that has flown over Fort McHenry (Baltimore) when British ships attacked. This specific flag triggered an even more interesting event. Francis Scott Key, who signs responsible for the text of the National Anthem, was inspired by this flag when he saw it the morning after the bombardment still flying over Fort McHenry.

Today the flag shows 50 stars, one for each state, and 13 alternating red and white stripes (beginning with red) for the original 13 colonies

American Flag - how to display

The United States Code is the codification by subject matter of the general and permanent laws of the United States. It is divided by broad subjects into 50 titles and published by the Office of the Law Revision Counsel of the U.S. House of Representatives.

If you are interested in more information about the flag, e.g. when to display, etc., or everything else the United States Code constitutes, visit the Link below to the official U.S. Code Edition.

TITLE 4--FLAG AND SEAL, SEAT OF GOVERNMENT, AND THE STATES
CHAPTER 1--THE FLAG
Sec. 7. Position and manner of display

The flag, when carried in a procession with another flag or flags, should be either on the marching right; that is, the flag's own right, or, if there is a line of other flags, in front of the center of that line.

(a) The flag should not be displayed on a float in a parade except from a staff, or as provided in subsection (i) of this section.

(b) The flag should not be draped over the hood, top, sides, or back of a vehicle or of a railroad train or a boat. When the flag is displayed on a motorcar, the staff shall be fixed firmly to the chassis or clamped to the right fender.

(c) No other flag or pennant should be placed above or, if on the same level, to the right of the flag of the United States of America, except during church services conducted by naval chaplains at sea, when the church pennant may be flown above the flag during church services for the personnel of the Navy. No person shall display the flag of the United Nations or any other national or international flag equal, above, or in a position of superior prominence or honor to, or in place of, the flag of the United States at any place within the United States or any Territory or possession thereof: Provided, That nothing in this section shall make unlawful the continuance of the practice heretofore followed of displaying the flag of the United Nations in a position of superior prominence or honor, and other national flags in positions of equal prominence or honor, with that of the flag of the United States at the headquarters of the United Nations.

(d) The flag of the United States of America, when it is displayed with another flag against a wall from crossed staffs, should be on the right, the flag's own right, and its staff should be in front of the staff of the other flag.

(e) The flag of the United States of America should be at the center and at the highest point of the group when a number of flags of States or localities or pennants of societies are grouped and displayed from staffs.

(f) When flags of States, cities, or localities, or pennants of societies are flown on the same halyard with the flag of the United States, the latter should always be at the peak. When the flags are flown from adjacent staffs, the flag of the United States should be hoisted first and lowered last. No such flag or pennant may be placed above the flag of the United States or to the United States flag's right.

(g) When flags of two or more nations are displayed, they are to be flown from separate staffs of the same height. The flags should be of approximately equal size. International usage forbids the display of the flag of one nation above that of another nation in time of peace.

(h) When the flag of the United States is displayed from a staff projecting horizontally or at an angle from the window sill, balcony, or front of a building, the union of the flag should be placed at the peak of the staff unless the flag is at half-staff. When the flag is suspended over a sidewalk from a rope extending from a house to a pole at the edge of the sidewalk, the flag should be hoisted out, union first, from the building.

(i) When displayed either horizontally or vertically against a wall, the union should be uppermost and to the flag's own right, that is, to the observer's left. When displayed in a window, the flag should be displayed in the same way, with the union or blue field to the left of the observer in the street.

(j) When the flag is displayed over the middle of the street, it should be suspended vertically with the union to the north in an east and west street or to the east in a north and south street.

(k) When used on a speaker's platform, the flag, if displayed flat, should be displayed above and behind the speaker. When displayed from a staff in a church or public auditorium, the flag of the United States of America should hold the position of superior prominence, in advance of the audience, and in the position of honor at the clergyman's or speaker's right as he faces the audience. Any other flag so displayed should be placed on the left of the clergyman or speaker or to the right of the audience.

(l) The flag should form a distinctive feature of the ceremony of unveiling a statue or monument, but it should never be used as the covering for the statue or monument.

(m) The flag, when flown at half-staff, should be first hoisted to the peak for an instant and then lowered to the half-staff position. The flag should be again raised to the peak before it is lowered for the day. On Memorial Day the flag should be displayed at half-staff until noon only, then raised to the top of the staff. By order of the President, the flag shall be flown at half-staff upon the death of principal figures of the United States Government and the Governor of a State, territory, or possession, as a mark of respect to their memory. In the event of the death of other officials or foreign dignitaries, the flag is to be displayed at half-staff according to Presidential instructions or orders, or in accordance with recognized customs or practices not inconsistent with law. In the event of the death of a present or former official of the government of any State, territory, or possession of the United States, the Governor of that State, territory, or possession may proclaim that the National flag shall be flown at half-staff. The flag shall be flown at half-staff 30 days from the death of the President or a former President; 10 days from the day of death of the Vice President, the Chief Justice or a retired Chief Justice of the United States, or the Speaker of the House of Representatives; from the day of death until interment of an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court, a Secretary of an executive or military department, a former Vice President, or the Governor of a State, territory, or possession; and on the day of death and the following day for a Member of Congress. The flag shall be flown at half-staff on Peace Officers Memorial Day, unless that day is also Armed Forces Day. As used in this subsection--

(1) the term ''half-staff'' means the position of the flag when it is one-half the distance between the top and bottom of the staff;
(2) the term ''executive or military department'' means any agency listed under sections 101 and 102 of title 5, United States Code; and
(3) the term ''Member of Congress'' means a Senator, a Representative, a Delegate, or the Resident Commissioner from Puerto Rico.

(n) When the flag is used to cover a casket, it should be so placed that the union is at the head and over the left shoulder. The flag should not be lowered into the grave or allowed to touch the ground.

(o) When the flag is suspended across a corridor or lobby in a building with only one main entrance, it should be suspended vertically with the union of the flag to the observer's left upon entering. If the building has more than one main entrance, the flag should be suspended vertically near the center of the corridor or lobby with the union to the north, when entrances are to the east and west or to the east when entrances are to the north and south. If there are entrances in more than two directions, the union should be to the east.

Official American Holidays

New Year's Day - January 1: Official holiday for schools, offices, and stores. New Year's Eve, December 31, is more important to Americans than New Year's Day itself. Everyone gathers with family and friends to "ring out the old and ring in the new," an expression that reflects the old custom of ringing church bells to greet the new year.

Martin Luther King, Jr.'s Birthday - January 15: Official holiday that began in 1986. Martin Luther King, Jr. organized and led the civil-rights movement in America during the 1960s.

Lincoln's Birthday - February 12: Official holiday in many states; often celebrated in conjunction with George Washington's birthday or "Presidents Day." Abraham Lincoln was president during the Civil War (1861-1865), a period that had a profound effect on the history of the nation. Believing that "a house divided against itself cannot stand," Lincoln acted to free the slaves and bring the seceded states back into the union.

Valentines Day - February 14: Not an official holiday. A Lover's holiday celebrated by sending cards and giving candy or flowers.

Washington's Birthday - February 22: (but celebrated on the third Monday in February): Official holiday. Commemorates the birthday of George Washington, commander-in-chief of the Revolutionary Army that freed America from the colonial rule of England. Washington was also the first president of the United States.

Saint Patrick's Day - March 17: Not an official holiday. St. Patrick is the patron saint of Ireland, and this holiday was brought to America by Irish immigrants. People celebrate this holiday by wearing something green and getting together with friends to party and sing Irish folk songs.

April Fool's Day - April 1: Not an official holiday. As in many other countries, this day is marked by the custom of playing practical jokes on friends and colleagues.

Easter - a Sunday in March or April: Not an official holiday. A religious holiday for Christians who believe that on this day Christ rose from the dead. Many folk traditions are now connected with Easter, including the decoration of brightly colored eggs and giving gifts to children.

Mother's Day - second Sunday in May: Not an official holiday. On this day Americans honor their mothers by sending flowers, buying small gifts, and taking their mothers out to eat so that they don't have to cook or do work around the house.

Father's Day - third Sunday in June: Not an official holiday. Fathers are honored on this day. Children give them cards and gifts.

Memorial Day - last Monday in May: Official holiday. Memorial Day is the day on which Americans remember those who died in military service to their country. Many families visit graves and decorate them with flowers. The day is also marked with patriotic parades. This day is considered the beginning of the summer season.

Independence Day - July 4: Official holiday. Independence Day commemorates the day the Declaration of Independence was signed in Philadelphia on July 4, 1776. The holiday is celebrated all over the country with picnics, political speeches, and community get-togethers that culminate in fireworks displays.

Labor Day - first Monday in September: Official holiday. This holiday was established in recognition of the labor movement's contribution to the productivity of the country. This day is the last holiday of the summer season and is celebrated with picnics and other outings.

Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur - late September/early October: Rosh Hashanah, commemorating the creating of the world, is the first of the Ten Days of Penitence, which end with Yom Kippur, the most solemn of Jewish holidays. For Rosh Hashanah, families gather for a feast in which an apple is dipped in honey to express hope for a sweet year ahead. In Judaism, Yom Kippur is a day of judgment; on the eve of Yom Kippur, Jews ask forgiveness from those they may have wronged. The keynotes of the holiday are fasting and a collective confession, repeated several times throughout the day.

Halloween - October 31: Not an official holiday. This was originally a religious holiday, but its religious character has been lost in the United States, and it is now celebrated mostly as a children's holiday. Traditions include carving out pumpkins with funny faces as well as dressing up in costumes and going around the neighborhood to receive treats of candy, fruit, and cookies. When people come to the door, children say, "trick or treat," meaning "if you don't give me a treat, I will trick you."

Thanksgiving Day - fourth Thursday in November: Official holiday. The first Thanksgiving Day was celebrated by the Pilgrims at Plymouth Colony in Massachusetts in 1621 to give thanks for the bountiful harvest and their triumph of survival over the wilderness. Now it is a time when Americans give thanks for the good life they enjoy. They celebrate by getting together with family to eat traditional foods such as turkey, cranberry sauce, sweet potatoes, and pumpkin pie.

Hanukkah - eight days, usually in December: One of the less solemn of the Jewish holidays, but one widely observed even by nonreligious Jews. The only Jewish holiday connected with war, Hanukkah celebrates the victory of Jewish Maccabees over their Syrian rulers in 167 B.C. Hanukkah is marked with parties, games, gifts for children, and the lighting of the nine candles of the menorah.

Christmas - December 25: Official holiday. Many people regard Christmas as the most important holiday of the year, with the holiday season extending from a few days before Christmas to New Year's Day. Although its origins are religious in nature, it is a holiday celebrated by almost everyone in the country. Family members travel great distances to be together on this day on which gifts are exchanged, and a traditional dinner is shared. Even families who do not have strong religious convictions decorate a Christmas tree and join in the festivities of the Christmas season.

Federal Legal Holidays 2007
� January 1, 2007: New Year's Day [Jan. 1 every year]
� January 15, 2007: Martin Luther King Day [3rd monday in Jan]
� February 19, 2007: Presidents Day (observed) [3rd monday in Feb]
note: Presidents Day is also Washington's Birthday
� May 28, 2007: Memorial Day (observed) [last monday in May]
� July 4, 2007: Independence Day [July 4 every year]
� September 3, 2007: Labor Day [1st monday in Sept]
� October 8, 2007: Columbus Day (observed) [2nd monday in Oct]
� November 11, 2007: Veterans' Day [Nov. 11 every year]
� November 22, 2007: Thanksgiving Day [4th thursday in Nov]
� December 25, 2007: Christmas Day [Dec. 25 every year]

� February 2 [every year]: Groundhog Day
� February 12 [every year]: Lincoln's Birthday
� February 14 [every year]: St. Valentines Day
� February 22 [every year]: Washington's Birthday (traditional)
� March 17 [every year]: St. Patrick's Day
� April 1 [every year]: April Fool's Day
� April 14, 2006 [April 6, 2007]: Good Friday
� April 16, 2006 [April 8, 2007]: Easter Sunday
� April 22 [every year]: Earth Day
� April 26, 2006: Administrative Professionals Day (National Secretary's Day)
� May 5 [every year]: Cinco de Mayo
� May 14, 2006 [May 13, 2007]: Mother's Day [2nd sunday in May]
� May 20, 2006 [May 19, 2007]: Armed Forces Day [3rd saturday in May]
� June 14 [every year]: Flag Day
� June 18, 2006 [June 17, 2007]: Father's Day [3rd sunday in June]
� July 23, 2006 [July 22, 2007]: Parents' Day [4th Sunday in July]
� September 10, 2006 [Sept. 9, 2007]: Grandparents' Day [first sunday after Labor Day]
� September 16 [every year]: Stepfamily Day
� September 17 [every year]: Citizenship Day
� Native American Day: 4th friday in September, celebrated (observed) many different days
� October 16 [every year]: Boss's Day (National Bosses Day)
� October 21, 2006 [Oct. 20, 2007]: Sweetest Day [3rd saturday in Oct]
� October 31 [every year]: Halloween
� November 7, 2006 [Nov. 6, 2007]: Election Day [first tuesday after first monday in Nov]
� November 16, 2006: Annual Great American Smokeout. stop smoking for one day:
� December 16-23, 2006 [Dec. 5-12, 2007]: Chanukah/Hanukkah
� December 26 - Jan 1 [every year]: Kwanzaa
� December 31 [every year]: New Year's Eve

Some Months Are Known As ...

� February: African American Heritage Month / American Heart Month
� March: National Women's History Month
� April: Cancer Control Month
� May: Asian Pacific American Heritage Month / Older Americans Month
� June: Gay Pride Month
� September: National Hispanic Heritage Month (September 15 through October 15)
� October: National Disability Employment Awareness Month
� November: National American Indian Heritage Month

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