WHEREAS, On September 14, 1814, Francis Scott Key peered through clearing smoke to see an enormous flag flying proudly after a 25-hour bombardment of Baltimore’s Fort McHenry; and

WHEREAS, Key was inspired to write a poem describing the sight he saw, which was later set to music; and

WHEREAS, Even before “the Star Spangled Banner” became our national anthem, it helped transform the garrison flag into a major national symbol of patriotism and identity; and

WHEREAS, The popularity of Francis Scott Key’s anthem during and after the Civil War transformed it into a national treasure; and

WHEREAS, Only with the start of the Civil War did the Star Spangled Banner become a nationally popular song, with both Union and Confederate forces rallying to the Star Spangled Banner; and

WHEREAS, During World War I, a drive began in Congress to make it the official anthem of America’s Armed Forces; and

WHEREAS, Maryland legislators and citizens were among the most active groups and individuals who pressed to get Francis Scott Key’s words and accompanying English tune ratified into law as our country’s first national anthem; and

WHEREAS, On March 3, 1931, President Herbert Hoover signed a law declaring the Star Spangled Banner as the national anthem of the United States of America; now, therefore, be it