On September 14, 1814, Francis Scott Key penned a poem which
was later set to music and in 1931 became America’s national
anthem, “The Star-Spangled Banner.”

The poem, originally titled “The Defence of Fort M’Henry,” was
written after Key witnessed the Maryland fort being bombarded
by the British during the War of 1812.

Key was inspired by the sight of a lone U.S. flag still flying over
Fort McHenry at daybreak, as reflected in the now-famous words
of the “Star-Spangled Banner”: “And the rocket’s red glare, the
bombs bursting in air, Gave proof through the night that our flag
was still there.”

Francis Scott Key (1779 – 1843)

First sheet music publication of The Star Spangled Banner.

"The Star-Spangled Banner" is the national anthem of the United
States. The lyrics come from the "Defence of Fort M’Henry", a
poem written by American lawyer Francis Scott Key on September
14, 1814, after he witnessed the bombardment of Fort McHenry by
the British Royal Navy during the Battle of Baltimore in the War of
1812. Key was inspired by the large U.S. flag, with 15 stars and 15 stripes, known as the Star-Spangled Banner, flying triumphantly
above the fort after the battle.

The 15-star, 15-stripe "Star-Spangled Banner" that inspired
the poem.

Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

    
Tim Maguire

The 1994–95 Major League Baseball strike was the eighth and
longest work stoppage in baseball history, as well as the fourth
in-season work stoppage in 22 years. The strike began on
August 12, 1994, and resulted in the remainder of that season,
including the postseason and the World Series, being canceled.

This was the first time in ninety years, since 1904, that a World
Series was not played. The strike was suspended on April 2,
1995, after 232 days, making it the longest such stoppage in
MLB history and the longest work stoppage in major league.

President Herbert Hoover signed a congressional act making “The
Star-Spangled Banner” the official national anthem of the United
States.

Herbert Clark Hoover (August 10, 1874 – October 20, 1964)

Francis Scott Key (August 1, 1779 – January 11, 1843)