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Wednesday, June 18, 2014

War & a Song

This Day in History: June 18, 1812


Historical Events on this Day in History encompass happenings from the year 680 through 2013. Among the 171 others (worldwide of course) is the American historical beginning of the War of 1812. It was on this day, June 18, 1812, that America issued a declaration of war on Great Britain: a war that would further secure America as an independent nation and is often referred to as the "second war of independence."

http://www.americaslibrary.gov/aa/madison/aa_madison_war_1_e.html
CREDIT: U.S. Constitution and H.M.S. Jave. Created/Published [between 1900 and 1920] Photograph of a painting dated Dec. 23, 1912. Touring Turn-of-the-Century America: Photographs from the Detroit Publishing Company, 1880-1920

Disputes over trade commissions, violations of America’s rights on the high seas and the involvement of the British in Indian uprisings on the frontiers were the major contributors leading up to war.
James Madison and the War of 1812
That was the war but what about the song? Not just any song but a very special song to America!

Star-Spangled Banner and the War of 1812

Click HERE for the Star-Spangled Banner
music video.

It was during this time of war (1812-1815) that Francis Scott Key penned the words to the Star-Spangled Banner. There is an extreme amount of emotion involved in fully understanding the era before the battle, the defense of Fort McHenry, the poem, the tune, as well as the poem and tune becoming our anthem.

As stated within the Story of the Star-spangled Banner, if anything should be taken as seriously as the American flag, it would be the national anthem. Written during a time of war, it commemorates the waving of our flag following a vicious bombardment of Fort McHenry.

 "O, say does that star spangled banner yet wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave?"

 Yes, it does! 






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