I just spent the last couple of days learning about the United States' national anthem.
We're going through a ton of turmoil in this country and it was the
perfect time for me to learn a bit about our history. In fact, it
wouldn't hurt the rest of the country to revisit the time of Francis
Scott Key & the War of 1812.
I wonder how many people know that
the national anthem was written about seeing our flag through the smoke
& dawn of a night filled w/ battle against the British. Do people
realize that had we lost this battle we wouldn't have a country today?
The
protests going on involving sitting or kneeling for the anthem don't
make a whole lot of sense when you know how we arrived at this song
becoming our anthem. But, it is people's right to protest. And we gained
these rights through battles like the War of 1812. So, I actually
understand the people protesting the protesters less then the protesters
themselves.
All that being said, I think the most interesting fact
to me is that the battle in Baltimore was supported by every type of American.
There are accounts of men & women helping to prepare for the British
invasion. There were a significant number of African Americans fighting
at Fort McHenry. People from all over the area came to help with the battle either as military or militia or average citizens helping to protect Baltimore any way they knew how. Every type of person pitched in. And as a result, we
defeated the British, saved America, & celebrated w/ a new flag
& song.
These two symbols - the flag and the National Anthem - were a result of a country united. And
today they are pulling us apart. What a shame we don't study &
celebrate history...
