What is the official national anthem of the United States, adopted by Congress in 1931?

The official national anthem of the United States, adopted by Congress in 1931, is “The Star-Spangled Banner.”

Francis Scott Key wrote the lyrics after witnessing the British bombardment of Fort McHenry during the Battle of Baltimore in the War of 1812. His poem, originally titled “Defence of Fort M’Henry,” was published in 1814. The words were later set to the tune of “The Anacreontic Song,” composed by John Stafford Smith.

The song became widely popular long before it received official status. The U.S. Navy recognized it for official use in 1889, but Congress did not designate it the national anthem until March 3, 1931. President Herbert Hoover signed the legislation the following day.

Only the first of the song’s four stanzas is commonly performed. Earlier patriotic songs, especially “Hail, Columbia” and “My Country, ’Tis of Thee,” had functioned as unofficial national anthems at various times.