Today in American history…President Herbert Hoover signed a congressional act making “The Star-Spangled Banner” the official national anthem of the United States of America on March 3, 1931.

Francis Scott Key composed the lyrics to “The Star-Spangled Banner” on September 14, 1814 after he personally witnessed the massive overnight British assault of Fort McHenry in Maryland during the War of 1812 and he observed in awe that Fort McHenry’s flag survived the massive assault by the British.