For America250, which song became the U.S. national anthem in 1931?

“The Star-Spangled Banner” became the official United States national anthem in 1931.

The song’s words originated as a poem called “Defence of Fort M’Henry,” written by Francis Scott Key after he witnessed the British bombardment of Fort McHenry during the War of 1812. Key saw the American flag still flying above the fort on September 14, 1814, and that image inspired the poem.

The words were later set to the melody of “The Anacreontic Song,” a British tune associated with the Anacreontic Society. The song became popular during the nineteenth century, but it was not officially designated the national anthem until Congress passed a joint resolution in 1931. President Herbert Hoover signed it into law.

The poem has four stanzas, although public performances usually use only the first. “Hail, Columbia” and “My Country, ’Tis of Thee” had served as unofficial patriotic anthems before 1931.