Columns
Luetkemeyer Column- The Fourth of July
Washington,
June 29, 2012
Among the most stirring portions of our Star Spangled Banner, these lines written so eloquently by Francis Scott Key evokes the spirit of Independence Day. The words and imagery represent a time in our history when the experiment known as the United States of America found a young nation still struggling for its identity on the world stage.
“…And the rocket's red glare, the bombs bursting in air, Among the most stirring portions of our Star Spangled Banner, these lines written so eloquently by Francis Scott Key evokes the spirit of Independence Day. The words and imagery represent a time in our history when the experiment known as the United States of America found a young nation still struggling for its identity on the world stage. While July 4, 1776, serves as our Independence Day, Key’s "Defence of Fort McHenry" which served as the basis for our national anthem came to be after the young lawyer, imprisoned abroad a ship in the harbor, witnessed the bombardment of Fort McHenry by the British Royal Navy ships in Chesapeake Bay during the Battle of Fort McHenry in the War of 1812. While so many of us are familiar with the American Revolution, many historians consider the War of 1812 the second war of independence against Great Britain. Just 30 years after becoming an independent nation, the young American forces on land and sea staved off three British invasions of New York, New Orleans and Baltimore, which is when Key first penned the lyrics which would become the basis for the national anthem. Each playing of our national anthem provides us with an opportunity to celebrate our nation, whether it’s before a baseball game or at a community event. It is as if, as Americans, we have an opportunity to celebrate the Fourth of July all throughout the year. The anthem is also a reminder that our country grew up during the second war of independence whose spirit was captured by a 35-year-old lawyer and amateur poet named Francis Scott Key. |