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The History of the Star-Spangled Banner

A FreeSchool lesson on 'The Star-Spangled Banner,' the U.S. national anthem. Learn how Francis Scott Key was inspired to write it while watching the Battle of Fort McHenry during the War of 1812.

How it works

  • Press play to start the video.
  • Videos 5 minutes or longer pause once or twice for a quick check. Get it right and you're on your way. If not, you'll see a friendly explanation and the video simply keeps going. Short videos skip the checks.
  • At the end there's a 3-question test. Score 60% or more to complete the lesson, and 80% or more to master it. You can always watch again and try for a higher score.