What do you know about the national anthem?

You cover your heart and sing along with the national anthem at baseball games all summer long. But how much do you know about the history behind the tune? Find out by answering these true-or-false questions.
1. Francis Scott Key was inspired to write "The Star-Spangled Banner" during the Civil War.
2. The flag referred to in the song was flying over Ft. McHenry near Baltimore.
3. Key wrote the song's melody, as well as its lyrics.
4. After Key wrote his song, he kept it secret for several years before releasing it.
5. "The Star-Spangled Banner" became the national anthem in the late 19th Century.

ANSWERS

1. False. Key wrote the lyrics to "The Star-Spangled Banner" during the War of 1812.
2. True. Key was inspired to write the words during the Battle of Baltimore, in September 1814.
3. False. Key directed that the words be set to a British tune called "To Anacreon in Heaven."
4. False. Key wrote the words in September, and the poem was printed almost immediately on handbills. Two Baltimore newspapers published it, and by mid-October, 17 newspapers had printed it.
5. False. It became the nation's official anthem in 1931.