Star-Spangled Banner Assembly
Did you know the “Star-Spangled Banner” has four verses? If not, you aren’t the only one, but the boys and faculty of St. Bernard’s are now counted among those who do. The story goes that German spies from World War II gave themselves away by knowing the entire anthem, whereas most Americans only know the first verse. So in honor of the 200th birthday of Francis Scott Key’s poem “Defense of Fort McHenry,” today’s assembly was a lesson on our national anthem’s inspiration, lyrics, and music.
Mr. Johnson regaled the boys with the story of the inspiration for Francis Scott Key’s poem. In the summer of 1814, during the War of 1812, the British, making use of their powerful navy, attacked and burned Washington, D.C. British Admiral George Cockburn and his crew came upon our nation’s capital so quickly that President Madison and First Lady Dolley Madison had to evacuate the executive mansion with their uneaten dinner on the table! Following their successful invasion of Washington, D.C., the British headed to Baltimore expecting another easy conquest, but the city was ready for them. The United States militia sunk ships in the city’s harbor to block British from entering. The city withstood an evening of heavy cannon and rocket fire from the distant ships. The next morning, American officers at nearby Fort McHenry raised a large American flag as they did every morning on the fortress walls, refusing surrender. Upon witnessing this event, Francis Scott Key was moved to write the words of our national anthem. Shortly thereafter, the British Navy realized its mission against Baltimore was a failure, retreated, and made its way south to New Orleans. Neither side aware the war was over, Andrew Jackson and his American troops engaged and defeated the British Navy in January of 1815.
After Mr. Johnson’s informative history lesson, Mr. Risinger and Ms. Fertel provided the history to our national anthem’s music. The tune of the “Star-Spangled Banner” was derived from an English men’s club song. Messrs. Landesman and Moraitis then provided more history on the anthem in an entertaining sketch, complete with the arrival of Dolley Madison (played by Cooper R.) and Canada (represented by a moose played by Max W.). They showed a video of performers messing up the lyrics and tunes of the “Star-Spangled Banner” and “O Canada.” We concluded our assembly with singing all four verses of the “Star-Spangled Banner.”
