National Anthem

[RAM]

I was born the year the Star Spangled Banner was officially named the National Anthem. Without Googling, do you know what year it was?
Hint: it was NOT 1812.

Bad Bob

[stidog]

Let's see it was penned by Francis Scott Key, as he watched a cannonade upon Fort McHenry during the war of 1812. At that time it was a poem. It was late Civil War or post Civil war when it was put to music by an OH musician(?), and became a song, so i'll guess it was 1888.

[Hoosier Dave]

RAM, I am betting you are not quite that old but maybe the present weather might be making you feel like you are.

[jimbofish]

IIRC it was much later, well into the 1900s,especially considering that it's highly unlikely the OP was born in the 19th century.

[Midway Tommy D]

RAM, I am betting you are not quite that old but maybe the present weather might be making you feel like you are.

BB, I'm guessing you are if you mean Congressional approval and not just common usage. My dad is older than its actual adoption, so that would put you @ late 83 or early 84.

Added question: What melody was is put to?

Tom

BTW, I didn't GOOGLE it, either.

[RAM]

The year was 1931! Little known fact.It is generally assumed the SPB has been the National Anthem just short of forever. Why it took so long to make it official I have not researched. Could have been those high notes scared off all the tin ear politicians who couldn't carry a tune in a lard stand. It would be wise to rewrite a few notes to make it more singable.
BB

[RAM]

PS The melody is an old English pub drinking song I have been told. True?
BB

[Midway Tommy D]

The melody is an old English pub drinking song I have been told. True?

Pretty much. The Anacreontic Society's Song, which was an old rowdy English Gentleman's club.

Tom