The Star-Spangled Banner: Its Origins and Meanings—1814, 1861, 1917, 1969 and for Us Today
Mark Clague presented “The Star-Spangled Banner” as a living cultural work shaped by American history, not just a fixed national song. He traced its origins to the War of 1812, explained how Francis Scott Key wrote it to the tune of “To Anacreon in Heaven,” and showed how its meaning evolved during the Civil War and World War I. He also highlighted later performances by artists like Jimi Hendrix and José Feliciano to show how the anthem has remained a site of protest, expression, and civic identity.
