Country Artists and the Legacy of 'The Star-Spangled Banner' in Sports
"The Star-Spangled Banner" has been a staple before sporting events in the United States for over a century. Country artists have particularly excelled in delivering powerful renditions of the national anthem, with the Super Bowl consistently choosing country singers for the task in recent years. The song, written by Francis Scott Key in 1814 after witnessing the American flag flying over Fort McHenry, gained popularity under the title "Defence of Fort M'Henry." Set to the tune of "To Anacreon in Heaven," the song was later renamed "The Star-Spangled Banner." In 1931, it officially became the national anthem. Despite having four verses, only one is commonly sung. The tradition of playing the anthem before sporting events dates back to the 19th century, with a notable moment during the 1918 World Series when the U.S. Navy band played it during the seventh-inning stretch, leading to a crowd-wide salute and sing-along. This momentous occasion solidified the song's place in sports events, with the NFL later making it mandatory for football games. Country artists have continued this tradition by delivering moving performances of "The Star-Spangled Banner" at various sporting events.