Category: March 03

  • NATIONAL SOUP IT FORWARD DAY – March 3

    NATIONAL SOUP IT FORWARD DAY

    National Soup it Forward Day on March 3rd encourages us to deliver love and kindness by the bowlful. We all know a warm cup of kindness comes in many forms.

    #SoupItForwardDay & #HugInABowl

    When I make a pot of soup, it is nearly always enough to feed an army. Those time-worn recipes grow over time, and love seasons it to perfection. I make it to warm my home, to cure a cold, and warm a soul.

    Just as the recipes grow and provide a nourishing warmth, so can National Soup it Forward Day. When making one of your favorite soups at home, Soup it Forward. Deliver a healing pot of your delicious chicken noodle or split pea to a family or friend in need. Perhaps they have been ill or down on their luck. Whatever the situation, a little of your home cooking and a visit will be a nice change.

    I know my creamy potato soup will Soup it Forward nicely. What soup will you be making on National Soup it Forward Day?

    HOW TO OBSERVE SOUP IT FORWARD DAY

    • Make up your favorite soup and deliver it to someone you know who could use the warmth of kindness in their life.
    • Host a soup-making event.
    • Learn more about Soup Sisters in the Celebration Spotlight with founder Sharon Hapton.
    • Use #HugInABowl and #SoupItForwardDay to share on social media.

    taste the soup see the soup feel the soup

    NATIONAL SOUP IT FORWARD DAY HISTORYSoup Sisters

    Soup Sisters founded National Soup it Forward Day to encourage everyone to make a difference in each other’s lives through the warm, healing kindness of sharing a bowl of soup.

    The Registrar at National Day Calendar proclaimed the National Soup it Forward Day to be observed annually beginning in 2018.    

    Soup Sisters is an award-winning National non-profit organization Founded on March 3, 2009. Since that time, more than 1 million servings of nurturing and nourishing soup made by community people has been delivered monthly to 40 emergency shelters in North America for women and children fleeing family violence and domestic abuse. The organization’s Founder, Sharon Hapton launched Soup Sisters by celebrating a milestone birthday with a soup-making birthday party that provided the first delivery of soup to the Calgary Women’s Emergency Shelter.

    That is the simplicity of Sharon’s vision: to give people a way to give back to their community by doing something tangible – getting into the kitchen, spending a night with friends, rolling up their sleeves, and creating something heartwarming, heartfelt and with it a message of support to women and kids in crisis. Now operating in over 25 cities Soup Sisters and Broth Brothers deliver the gift of soup by providing a much-needed ‘Hug in a Bowl’. Soup it forward with the universal comfort food and for added inspiration, you can find over 300 soup recipes in the Soup Sisters trilogy of cookbooks.

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  • NATIONAL DRESS IN BLUE DAY – First Friday in March

    NATIONAL DRESS IN BLUE DAY

    In an effort to knock out one of the top cancers causing death, National Dress in Blue Day on the first Friday in March encourages everyone to learn about the causes of colon cancer and raise awareness by wearing blue.

    #DressInBlueDay

    Much like the pink ribbon represents those lost to breast cancer, a blue star honors the memory of those lost to colon cancer. Continuing the blue theme on Dress in Blue Day, awareness efforts provide support through fundraising for screening, research, and awareness education.

    Screenings are vital. Colon cancer often has no symptoms until its advanced stages placing its victims at higher risk if they wait until symptoms appear. Screenings are recommended beginning at age 50 and younger if you are at high risk.

    HOW TO OBSERVE DRESS IN BLUE DAY

    • Check your closet and wear something blue.
    • Find out more about your risk factors.
    • Schedule a screening if you are due.
    • Donate.
    • Use #DressInBlueDay to share on social media.

    NATIONAL DRESS IN BLUE DAY HISTORY

    In 2006, Anita Mitchell, a stage IV colon cancer survivor, founder of Colon Cancer Stars helped organize a day in her child’s school to raise colon cancer awareness called Wear Blue for Colon Cancer Awareness Day after losing her father and a friend to the disease. National Dress in Blue Day’s success as a local school program encouraged Anita to bring the idea to the Colon Cancer Alliance in 2009. From there, this outstanding fundraiser developed into a nationwide program.

    Colon Cancer FAQ

    Q. How many people are diagnosed with colon cancer each year?
    A. The American Cancer Society estimates that 106,180 new cases of colon cancer will be diagnosed in 2022.

    Q. What are the risk factors for colon cancer?
    A. The CDC lists the risk of colon cancer as:

    • Family history
    • Genetic syndromes
    • Inflammatory bowel diseases
    • Lifestyle – lack of activity, diet, obesity, alcohol and tobacco usage

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  • NATIONAL SPEECH AND DEBATE EDUCATION DAY – First Friday in March

    NATIONAL SPEECH AND DEBATE EDUCATION DAY

    The First Friday in March is National Speech and Debate Education Day to prepare students to do more than speaking publicly. Through the support of coaches and teachers, students learn the skills vital to success in future careers and everyday decision-making. The ability to conduct thorough research, construct intelligent arguments and receive constructive criticism produces assured citizens able to collaborate and communicate their ideas in effective, even eloquent ways.

    #SpeechAndDebateEducationDay

    The observance encourages communities to show the coaches and teachers support for their hard work and dedication. They spend long hours preparing and helping the students after the school day has ended. These sessions often occur after their workday has ended and before they have even been home to their families. Speech and Debate coaches spend as much time as athletic coaches preparing, studying rules, reviewing speeches, pairing teams, making changes, students’ work, traveling, judges, and hosting events.

    Speech and debate education prepares students for future careers as well as serving their community. It helps them with critical thinking and analysis of facts. Another quality that speech and debate instills in students is confidence. As with many school activities, speech and debate helps to inspire confidence in students one speech and debate at a time. Through research, practice, and increased difficulty, they master a variety of topics, all of which benefit them in the greater world that awaits them.

    HOW TO OBSERVE SPEECH AND DEBATE EDUCATION DAY

    • Find out more by visiting SpeechandDebate.org.
    • Explore the opportunities for Speech and Debate in your school.
    • Students who participate in Speech and Debate inspire others to confidently present their ideas.
    • While motivating others, they find the confidence to be leaders and support each other to engage in a contest of words and thoughts. They won’t regret it!
    • Find out more by visiting SpeechandDebate.org.
    • Visit the National Day Calendar Classroom for projects and ideas to help you Celebrate Every Day!
    • Support your local school’s Speech and Debate teams and use #SpeechAndDebateEducationDay and #WeAreSpeechAndDebate to share on social media.

    NATIONAL SPEECH AND DEBATE EDUCATION DAY HISTORY

    The National Speech & Debate Association (NSDA) founded National Speech and Debate Education Day to recognize and celebrate the positive impact speech and debate activities have on schools, students, organizations, and their communities.  In 2016, the United States Senate passed a resolution declaring March 15, 2016, to be National Speech and Debate Education Day.  In 2017, the Senate passed the resolution declaring the day to March 3, 2017. Both resolutions were co-sponsored by Senator Charles Grassley and Senator Chris Coons. In 2018, the date was set for Friday, March 2nd. The latest resolution declares the first Friday in March as the celebration date.

    Speech and Debate FAQ

    Q. Is debate and speech competitive?
    A. Yes. Students compete against one another and are judged for their performance.

    Q. Is speech and debate a creative event?
    A. Yes. There are many creative opportunities in speech and debate competitions. Speech and debate teams also approach today’s most important subjects. For example, students can choose a humorous category or they can debate government policy. Find out more at speechanddebate.org.

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  • NATIONAL EMPLOYEE APPRECIATION DAY – First Friday in March

    NATIONAL EMPLOYEE APPRECIATION DAY

    National Employee Appreciation Day on the first Friday in March each year focuses attention on employees in all industries. Employers across the country in business and organizations plan employee recognition and celebrations. Employee achievement and contributions are honored.  

    #EmployeeAppreciationDay

    Employees are one of a company’s greatest assets. Recognition and appreciation are known as some of the key motivational factors in the workplace. An employer may show their gratitude for an employee’s efforts and contributions to the company’s goals in a variety of ways. Many organizations include employee appreciation as part of their business structure. It shows how much they value their employees and keeps morale high in the workplace. Employers who express employee appreciation tend to increase employee job satisfaction as well.

    While showing your employees how much you appreciate them, ask them how they like to be thanked. Employers might find a consensus of three or four ways that might best serve your industry overall. It might also save some head-scratching too. Did you go over budget on an ice cream sundae bar last year when your team prefers discounted services to the local chiropractor? In the spirit of enthusiasm, consider the nature of your business and how your employees celebrate, too.

    While employees’ personalities differ, most employees are goal-driven people. Earning an award, a thank you, or recognition motivates them to reach even higher goals to the benefit of any business or organization. 

    HOW TO OBSERVE EMPLOYEE APPRECIATION DAY

    • Show your employees that you value them.
      • Be Flexible – Flexibility goes a long way in this virtual reality world. If possible within your industry, allowing a little flexibility can reap huge benefits when you need last-minute work done.
      • A Thank You Note – Believe it or not, many employees appreciate a heartfelt, hand-written thank you more than a slap on the back or a last-minute e-mail.
      • Team Effort Celebration – If the team pulled together and made it happen, reward them with an office pizza party, casual dress day, or even close the office early so they can spend some well-earned time with family.
      • Get Caught – Ensure the employee hears you telling someone else you thought they did a great job. Give the employee the credit they deserve. If they’re the best at something, make sure a client knows it. It also sets the expectation of repeat performance. 
      • Create a Culture of Encouragement – Employees who expand their horizons bring new skills to your workforce and will encourage others to do so, too. Praise their achievements and encourage others to pursue their goals.
    • Share your favorite way to be appreciated. Answer those employee surveys so your employer can take action to improve the workplace.
    • If you have employees, be sure to show them some appreciation and use #EmployeeAppreciationDay to post on social media.

    NATIONAL EMPLOYEE APPRECIATION DAY HISTORY

    In 1995, Bob Nelson, a founding Recognition Professional International board member, and his publishing company, Workman Publishing, created National Employee Appreciation Day.

    Employee Recognition FAQ

    Q. Do employees respond positively to recognition?
    A. Yes. Showing appreciation and recognizing an employee’s dedication and hard work lets them know what they do is important to the business or organization.

    Q. How do I know how my employees like to be appreciated?
    A. Ask. Create a survey or a checklist. Let them know you want to show your appreciation in ways that have value to them.

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  • GLOBAL DAY OF UNPLUGGING | Sundown to Sundown March 3-4

    GLOBAL DAY OF UNPLUGGING

    From sundown to sundown  March 3 – 4, Global Day of Unplugging, kicks off a 24-hour period, to unplug, unwind, relax, and do things other than using today’s technology, electronics, and social media.

    #GlobalDayOfUnplugging

    Look around the average American household. Smartphones, computers, gaming systems, and smart TVs may not fill every nook and cranny, but gradually these devices are taking up residence and bandwidth in our homes and brains. According to Pew Research, the typical American family contains approximately 5 connected devices. Media, friends, entertainment, education, work, and more are all at our fingertips. The amount of information available to us is at an all-time high and the amount of connectedness goes with us everywhere.

    Disconnecting or unplugging from all the digital static offers us an opportunity to reset. It also allows us to make more human connections with the people around us. Digital connections lack the tactile essence of the real world such as sounds, smells, and touch. Eye contact, for example, lacks depth in the digital world. In person, however, we gain a sense of someone even if we don’t know what it is yet.

    Another benefit of unplugging is better sleep. When we push away from the computer, put down the smartphone, and turn off the computer, we’re more likely to stretch our legs. Going outdoors into the fresh air, we might actually get more natural exercise causing our bodies to sleep better.

    Other things about unplugging that might surprise you are that you’ll find more time to do the things you keep saying you have no time to do. For example, reading that book or visiting with an old friend, cleaning out the closets, or hiking a trail. What’s on your list that Global Day of Unplugging will help you get finished?

    HOW TO OBSERVE GLOBAL DAY OF UNPLUGGING

    • Make a plan with a friend or two ahead of time.
    • Turn off smartphones, computers, personal assistants, gaming systems, and televisions.
    • Start your day by singing in the shower.
    • Read the newspaper.
    • Meet a friend for breakfast.
    • Go to the library and use the Dewy Decimal System.
    • Have a conversation uninterrupted by a notification.
    • Leave your mobile tech at home. 
    • Make sure to sign the Unplugging Pledge, too!
    • Take a break from technology and use #GlobalDayOfUnplugging to post on social media the day before to spread the word.

    GLOBAL DAY OF UNPLUGGING HISTORY HISTORY

    Members of the Reboot Network founded Global Day of Unplugging to encourage others to have a more unplugged life. More recently (2023) the announcement came out of a change in the name and the timing of of this celebration. For all the details, read the Press Release.

    Unplugging FAQ

    Q. How does someone unplug if they use a computer for work or school?
    A. Set aside an hour or two during the day to unplug. Another option is to begin setting aside a day a week to get away from all electronics.

    Q. What are the benefits of unplugging?
    A. Unplugging comes with many benefits. The most obvious is the energy savings that come with unplugging. However, we also benefit by being able to focus on human-to-human connections, better sleep, and an opportunity to focus on our own well-being.

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  • NATIONAL MULLED WINE DAY – March 3

    NATIONAL MULLED WINE DAY

    National Mulled Wine Day on March 3rd warms us up with fruits, spices, and wine. In the lingering days of winter, a hot mug of mulled wine hits the spot and fills the home with pleasant aromas. 

    #NationalMulledWineDay

    Mulled spirits are wine and liquors that have been heated and spiced. Mulled wine is usually made with red wine with various spices, fruits and sometimes slightly sweetened with honey.  Popular blends include cinnamon, nutmeg, citrus, vanilla, anise, cloves, raisins, or pears.

     Wine was first recorded as spiced and heated in First Century Rome.

    The combination of heated spirits and spices is a warm welcome on a cold winter’s day and has long been considered a balm against illness during this time of year.

    HOW TO OBSERVE NATIONAL MULLED WINE DAY

    • Make up some mulled wine and invite someone to share it with you.
    • Share a recipe for others to try.
    • Enjoy some mulled wine (Remember always drink responsibly and never to drink and drive) and use #NationalMulledWineDay to post on social media.

    NATIONAL MULLED WINE DAY HISTORY

    National Day Calendar continues researching the origins of this spicy beverage day. 

    Mulled Wine FAQ

    Q. Does mulled wine have alcohol in it?
    A. Yes. Wine is heated with spices to provide a warm spirit to sip.

    Q. What kinds of wines are best to make a mulled wine?
    A. Red wines are usually used to make a mulled, spiced wine. Some vintners make wines specifically for mulling and will include a spice packet with the wine for a perfect blend of flavors.

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  • NATIONAL COLD CUTS DAY – March 3

    NATIONAL COLD CUTS DAY          

    Dagwood will eat his heart out on March 3rd because it’s National Cold Cuts Day. Call them lunch meats, deli meats, sandwich meats, or cold cuts. Some like them thick, while others stack them a mile high. Others still just like them with cheese and crackers. However you like them, National Cold Cuts Day was made for sandwich and snack makers.

    #NationalColdCutsDay

    There are the deli staples like the humble turkey and ham. Then there are the culinary delights like salami and prosciutto and flavors that require a more acquired taste like head cheese and braunschweiger. Whatever your taste, there is a cold cut for everyone. Well, everyone except the vegetarian.

    Every nationality has a flavor all its own when it comes to seasoning, curing, and aging a variety of meats. Spices, smoking, and time alter the taste. When the animal is butchered, temperature and air circulation affect the flavor, too.

    It’s essentially an art history lesson all rolled into one, and at the end of it all, there’s mouth-watering food that can be enjoyed with friends and a good beverage.

    Or, it’s merely a piece of meat meant to make a meal. Breaking bread with friends sounds so much more delightful, though.

    Bologna is one of the most popular cold cuts in the United States due to a famous commercial. Named after the Italian city of the same name, bologna is similar to an Italian sausage called Mortadella.

    Other popular cuts are chicken, roast beef, pastrami, corned beef, and pepperoni.

    HOW TO OBSERVE NATIONAL COLD CUTS DAY

    • Visit a local deli for your favorite cold cuts.
    • With so many options, be sure to try something new.
    • Challenge friends to a sandwich-making contest.
    • Use #NationalColdCutsDay to post on social media.

    NATIONAL COLD CUTS DAY HISTORY

    National Day Calendar continues researching the origin of this meat lovers’ holiday. 

    Cold Cut FAQ

    Q. Is meatloaf a cold cut?
    A. Can it be served cold? Yes. Can it be served sliced? Yes. Therefore, meatloaf meets the definition of cold cut.

    Q. Can cold cuts be served hot?
    A. Yes. Pile those cold cuts onto a bun, layer some melty cheese on top of the meat, spread a little mustard or horseradish. Toast it up and your cold-cut sandwich transforms into hot lunch.

    March 3rd Celebrated History

    1845

    For the first time, Congress overrides a presidential veto. Outgoing President John Tyler vetoed an appropriations bill from Congress. It wasn’t Tyler’s first use of his veto powers. At the time, only one other president use the veto more and that was Andrew Jackson. (Since then, presidents have found their veto stride.) On the last day of the Congressional session, Congress used its power to override the veto for the first time.

    1879

    After graduating from law school in 1873, Belva Lockwood lobbied to be admitted to the U.S. Supreme Court bar. It wasn’t until March 3, 1879, that she would become the first woman admitted to appear before the Supreme Court.

    1923

    Time Magazines publishes its first issue.

    1931

    President Herbert Hoover signs a Congressional resolution making the “Star-Spangled Banner” the national anthem of the United States. In 1916, President Woodrow Wilson signed an executive order designating the song written by Francis Scott Key in 1814 as the country’s national song and the U.S. Navy had long honored the song.

    March 3rd Celebrated Birthdays

    George Pullman – 1831

    All aboard!! The innovator of the industrial age developed luxurious passenger cars. Pullman also created company towns and under his watch union strikes broke out during one of the country’s worst depressions.

    Chief Joseph – 1840

    Born Hin-mah-too-ya-lat-kekt, or Thunder Rolling Down the Mountain, Joseph became Chief of the Nez Perce in 1871 following the death of his father. At the time, the federal government was making efforts to remove the Nez Perce from the Wallowa Valley in northeastern Oregon to land in Idaho. Chief Joseph is best known for being a part of the resistance that lasted months and gained the respect of military leaders, despite its failure and his uncertain role as the leader.

    Alexander Graham Bell – 1847

    “Mr. Watson. Come here. I want to see you.” “E.T. phone home.” “Can you hear me now?” All these sentences connect us to one invention. While the Scottish-born inventor patented the telephone, his interests were broad including medical research and aeronautics.

    Patricia MacLachlan – 1938

    The award-winning American children’s author is best known for her novel Sarah, Plain and Tall.

    Herschel Walker – 1962

    The multi-talented American athlete won the 1982 Heisman Trophy. His 16-year professional football career was split between the United States Football League (USFL) and the National Football League (NFL). Between the two leagues, the running back accumulated a combined 13,787 rushing yards.

    Jackie Joyner-Kersee – 1962

    One of track and field’s greatest athletes, Joyner-Kersee has collected three gold, one silver, and two bronze Olympic medals. She appeared in her first Olympic games in 1984 in Los Angeles, winning silver in the heptathlon. Four years later, Joyner-Kersee brought home two golds, conquering the heptathlon and the long jump at Seoul. In 1992 in Barcelona, she repeated her win in the heptathlon and brought home bronze in the long jump. In her final appearance at the Atlanta games in 1996, Joyner-Kersee won her final medal, the bronze in the long jump.

    Notable Mentions

    Ruby Dandridge – 1902
    Jean Harlow – 1911
    Margaret Bonds – 1913

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  • NATIONAL I WANT YOU TO BE HAPPY DAY – March 3

    NATIONAL I WANT YOU TO BE HAPPY DAY

    National I Want You to be Happy Day on March 3rd encourages us to do something that makes others happy. It also asks us to see others’ happiness from their point of view. Putting a smile on someone’s face tends to put one on ours, too.

    #IWantYouToBeHappyDay

    Happiness is the highest form of health. ~ Dalai Lama

    Genuine happiness takes effort. While we’re not individually responsible for others’ happiness, we do play a role in spreading joy and good cheer. One way to do that is to see happiness from another person’s perspective. Happiness doesn’t fit a mold. Everything from being a morning person or a night owl, a favorite season and seafood can make or break a person’s general idea of happiness. A person’s overall journey through life gives them a unique outlook on happiness, too.

    Being happy may merely be about quality, not quantity.

    HOW TO OBSERVE I WANT YOU TO BE HAPPY DAY

    • Start the day with a happy thought and carry it with you throughout the day.
    • Make someone smile. Give a flower or tell a silly knock-knock joke there.
    • Buy the person’s coffee standing in line behind you.
    • Remind your kids how much you love them.
    • Leave a sticky note for a co-worker telling them to have a spectacular day, a happy day.
    • Draw a happy face in the snow for a stranger to come across later. Give someone a hug.
    • Consider someone else’s happiness from their point of view.
    • Use #IWantYouToBeHappyDay to post on social media.

    NATIONAL I WANT YOU TO BE HAPPY DAY HISTORY

    National Day Calendar continues to research the origins of this uplifting national day.

    Happy FAQ

    Q. Who sings the song, “Don’t Worry Be Happy”?
    A. Bobby McFerrin sang the son on his 1988 Simple Pleasures album.

    Q. Is happiness good for my health?
    A. It might be. Several studies, including one published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, suggest that optimistic people live longer and optimism is a signature trait of happy people.

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  • NATIONAL ANTHEM DAY – March 3

    NATIONAL ANTHEM DAY

    National Anthem Day commemorates the day the United States adopted “The Star-Spangled Banner” as its National Anthem. Written by Francis Scott Key, the “Star-Spangled Banner” became the National Anthem in 1931. 

    #NationalAnthemDay

    Oh Say Can You See Fort McHenry

    The story behind “The Star-Spangled Banner” is as moving as the anthem itself. While an attorney, Key was serving in the Georgetown Light Field Artillery during the War of 1812. In 1814, his negotiation skills as a lawyer were called upon to release Dr. William Beane, a prisoner on the British naval ship, Tonnant. Early in September, Key traveled to Baltimore in the company of Colonel John Skinner to begin negotiations.

    While Key and Skinner secured Beane’s release, the British navy had begun attacking Baltimore. The trio waited at sea to return to Georgetown.

    Fort McHenry is built on a peninsula of the Patapsco River. Just across the Northwest Branch is the city of Baltimore. In 1814, the population of Baltimore was roughly 50,000 people, hardly the metropolis it is today. The country itself was still young, and often families of soldiers lived nearby, providing support to their soldiers.

    The Rocket’s Red Glare

    The British navy abandoned Baltimore and turned their full attention to Fort McHenry on September 13th. As the 190-pound shells began to shake the fort, mother nature brought a storm of her own. Thunder and rain pelted the shore along with the bombs and shells. Throughout the night, parents, wives, and children in their homes could hear and feel the bomb blasts across the way. There were reports of the explosions being felt as far away as Philadelphia. It was a long night of fear, worry, and providing comfort to one another.

    At sea, Key had a similar night. Being a religious man, one who believed the war could have been avoided, he watched the bombs bursting in air over the water and steadily pummeling Fort McHenry. It was undoubtedly a sight to behold.

    For 25 hours, the star-shaped fort manned by approximately 1,000 American soldiers endured over 1,500 cannon shots. The Fort answered with their own with almost no effect.

    Does that Star-Spangled Banner Yet Wave

    In the early morning of September 14th, after Major George Armistead’s troops stopped the British landing party in a blaze of gunfire, the major ordered the oversized American flag raised in all its glory over Fort McHenry. Sewn a few months before by Mary Pickersgill and her daughter, the enormous banner replaced the storm flag, which had flown during battle.

    As Key waited at sea for dawn to break and smoke to clear, imagine the inspiring sight in the silence of the morning to see his country’s flag fully unfurled against the breaking of the day and the fort standing firm. 

    Key was so moved by the experience he immediately began penning the lyrics to a song which were later published by his brother-in-law as a poem titled “Defence of Fort M’Henry.”

    HOW TO OBSERVE NATIONAL ANTHEM DAY

    • Sing the Star-Spangled Banner.  
    • Fly the American flag.
    • Visit Fort McHenry in Maryland.
    • Visit Francis Scott Key Park in Washington, D.C.
    • Did you know there are three more verses to the original song? As a challenge, try learning them all.
    • Use #NationalAnthemDay to post on social media.

    NATIONAL ANTHEM DAY HISTORY

    Nearly 117 years passed after Key penned “Defence of Fort M’Henry” before it became the national anthem of the United States of America. “Hail Columbia” and “My Country’ Tis of Thee” held honorary places as patriotic songs. But, the United States didn’t have an officially declared anthem until a congressional resolution, signed by President Herbert Hoover, until “The Star-Spangled Banner” became the national anthem of the United States of America on March 3rd, 1931.

    *Historical note: The spelling of “defence” in the original title of Key’s song is correct for the period.  

    National Anthem FAQ

    Q. What melody did Francis Scott Key choose for the Star-Spangled Banner?
    A. The melody that accompanies the lyrics for Key’s song is titled “To Anacreon in Heaven.” The song honoring Greek poet Anacreon was written by English composer John Stafford Smith about 30 years before Key wrote the Star-Spangled Banner.

    Q. Did Francis Scott Key serve in the military?
    A. He did serve in the military, but only briefly. Key’s religious beliefs and moral opposition to the War of 1812 conflicted with serving.

    Q. Is Fort McHenry still a military fort?
    A. No. Fort McHenry served many military purposes through 1933 when it came under the control of the National Park Service and was soon designated a National Monument and Historic Shrine with many of its buildings preserved much as it was during the War of 1812. At the time it was established as a National Monument, Fort McHenry’s most recent use for military support was as an Army hospital in World War I. Then, during World War II, the U.S. Coast Guard conducted training on the grounds of Fort McHenry.

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