Slow walking the National Anthem

1814Francis Scott Key observes the British bombardmentof Fort McHenry in Baltimore and as a result hegives birth to the Star Spangled Banner.
Well... not exactly.It was actually written as a poem, not a song,and was originally titled 'In Defense of Fort McHenry'.When it was eventually put to music it was re-written severaltimes over by activists to promote their individual causes.

1889

The song is brought back to life as the Star Spangled Banner

when the Navy makes it a part of their flag raising ceremonies.

1904

The Army establishes its custom of having troops

stand at attention and salute whenever the song is played.

1916Woodrow Wilson orders that The Star Spangled Bannerwould be performed at all military occasions.
It still wasn't official though because some in Congresswere against having it as our National Anthem due to thefact that the tune the lyrics had been added to wasoriginally a drinking song popular in English pubs.
1931A petition with 5 million signatures accompaniedby letters from 25 governors finally goads Congressinto enacting legislation and Herbert Hoover signsthe bill to make it all official.

Add it all up, and that's a total of117 years from start to finish.

If you like The Lowdown Dispatch,

please share it using the icons below - Thanks