The Declaration of Independence
In CONGRESS, July 4, 1776
History
The Declaration of Independence is the nation's most cherished
symbol of liberty and Thomas Jefferson's most enduring monument.
Jefferson wrote it between June 11 and June 28,
1776. Jefferson expressed the convictions
in the minds and hearts of the American people. The political
philosophy of which he wrote was not new; its ideals of individual
liberty had already been expressed by John Locke and the Continental
philosophers. Jefferson summarized this philosophy
in "self-evident truths" and set forth a list of grievances against the King
in order to justify before the world the breaking of ties between the
colonies and the mother country.
The Declaration of Independence -
of the 13 United States of America,
We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created
equal,
that they are endowed by their Creator with certain
unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit
of Happiness. That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from
the consent of the governed. That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right
of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute
new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing
its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness.
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The Star Spangled Banner
The History
The Star-spangled banner, the National Anthem of the United States of
America is a poem inspired by the Battle of Baltimore,
fought on September 12-14, 1814 during the War of 1812.
During the British campaign against Washington, D.C., an elderly and respected physician, Dr. William Beanes was arrested for unfriendly
acts toward the British soldiers. Francis Scott Key, a prominent lawyer and friend of Dr. Beanes
was sent by President James Madison to obtain his
release. Following negotiations, the British agreed to release
Beanes. However, since the British were going to attack
Baltimore, Maryland next, they would allow no one to go ashore.
The British landed soldiers on September 12 and engaged in a brisk land battle, however, they were not able to capture Baltimore.
As part of a two pronged attack, the British now sent
their naval fleet to attack and destroy the city. The main defense
of Baltimore harbor was Fort McHenry. For 25 hours the
British fleet fired rockets and bombs at the fort. The fort's
defender withstood the bombardment and did not surrender. The British realized they could not take Baltimore without
heavy casualties. Since they were not willing to pay this price, they departed from Baltimore.
During the bombardment, Key was down river watching and was inspired to write a poem that tells the story of the battle. When he
reached Baltimore he finished the poem. Key wrote the
poem to match the meter to be sung to an old English tune To Anacreon in
Heaven.
The song slowly grew in popularity and was well known and used by both sides during the Civil war. In later years
it was very popular with the military and it was used as
an "unofficial" national anthem. During World War I, the song became so
widely accepted that a drive resulted in the Congress
making it the National Anthem in 1931.
The National Museum of American History, which is part of the Smithsonian Institution,
displays in its main lobby the Star-Spangled Banner which is 30 feet
wide and 42 long. Because of its deteriorated condition,
most Americans have long assumed that this flag flew
during the battle. However, historians using both British and American
sources have found that during the battle there was a late
summer storm which would have prevented the 1260 square foot woolen
flag from being flown. A 17 by 25 storm flag would
have been the size of the actual flag flying during the battle. The
large flag, however, was raised the following morning as the
British were departing from Baltimore. This would have been the flag
Key would have seen when entered Baltimore.
The original manuscript is now on display at the Maryland Historical Society in Baltimore. Fort
McHenry still stands and it is part of the National Park Service.
The fort is the only site to have both a national monument and historic
shrine designation.
The Defense of Fort McHenry
by Francis Scott Key
20 September 1814
Oh, say can you see, by the dawn's early light,
What so proudly we hailed at the twilight's last gleaming?
Whose broad stripes and bright stars, through the perilous fight,
O'er the ramparts we watched, were so gallantly streaming?
And the rockets' red glare, the bombs bursting in air,
Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there.
O say, does that star-spangled banner yet wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave?
On the shore, dimly seen through the mists of the deep,
Where the foe's haughty host in dread silence reposes,
What is that which the breeze, o'er the towering steep,
As it fitfully blows, now conceals, now discloses?
Now it catches the gleam of the morning's first beam,
In full glory reflected now shines on the stream:
'Tis the star-spangled banner! O long may it wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave.
And where is that band who so vauntingly swore
That the havoc of war and the battle's confusion
A home and a country should leave us no more?
Their blood has wiped out their foul footstep's pollution.
No refuge could save the hireling and slave
>From the terror of flight, or the gloom of the grave:
And the star-spangled banner in triumph doth wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave.
Oh! thus be it ever, when freemen shall stand
Between their loved homes and the war's desolation!
Blest with victory and peace, may the heaven-rescued land
Praise the Power that hath made and preserved us a nation.
Then conquer we must, for our cause it is just,
And this be our motto: "In God is our trust."
And the star-spangled banner forever shall wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!
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