What is the title of the U.S. national anthem officially adopted by Congress in 1931?

The U.S. national anthem officially adopted by Congress in 1931 is “The Star-Spangled Banner.”

The anthem’s lyrics 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 large American flag still flying over the fort on the morning of September 14, 1814, and completed the poem in Baltimore two days later.

The words were fitted to the melody of “The Anacreontic Song,” composed by English musician John Stafford Smith. The song became widely popular during the 19th century, although “Hail, Columbia” and “My Country, ’Tis of Thee” were also prominent patriotic songs.

Congress adopted “The Star-Spangled Banner” as the national anthem on March 3, 1931. The anthem has four verses, but public performances ordinarily use only the first.