Customer Reviews

The Story of the Star-Spangled Banner (Cornerstones of Freedom)

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It is natural that American students learn the national anthem, it is important that they learn the history of how it was created. The war of 1812 between the United States and Great Britain is one that is often dismissed as minor, considered to have been a war where there was not a great deal at stake. That is incorrect, British troops landed and marched unopposed to Washington D. C., burning a large percentage of the city to the ground. The next target for the British fleet was Baltimore, Maryland and the only thing standing in their way was Fort McHenry. It guarded the sea approaches to the city and if it was eliminated, the British could take Baltimore and do as they wished.
Therefore, the lyrics of the poem written by Francis Scott Key are genuine and when the flag still waved at the dawn's early light after the nightlong bombardment, it was a significant signal. The British fleet then retired and never again menaced Baltimore.
This book describes more about the historical events than about the song itself, which is as it should be. However, the chain of events that led to the Star-Spangled Banner being adopted as the American national anthem is also explained. Most modern people are unaware that it was not made the official national anthem until 1931. This is a good historical account of a fundamental point of American history that all children should learn.

This Cornerstones of Freedom book tells the history of the Star-Spangled Banner from its beginnings on Aug 24, 1814 in Baltimore, while America was at war with Great Britain. The historical narrative is quite well-written with elements of suspense and action. Readers will learn about Francis Scott Key and John Skinner who try to obtain the release of Dr. William Beanes, a prisoner of war of the British. Seeing the flag with its fifteen stars inspires Mr. Key to write a poem which he calls "The Defense of Fort McHenry" which today is known as the Star-Spangled Banner.

Though this book is long out of print (I found it at a used bookstore), it is a well-written account, and has illustrations of the various flags of America through the ages, e.g. The Betsy Ross Flag (1777), the American flag during the time of Widow Pickersgill (1794-1818), the American flag (1818), and the American flag in 1960. In addition, the book is also illustrated with drawings.