On December 23, 1823, “A Visit From St. Nicholas,” perhaps
the most famous and influential Christmas poem ever was
published in the Troy Sentinel newspaper in New York by
an anonymous author.

It wasn’t until nearly 20 years later, in 1844, that American
writer Clement Clarke Moore claimed authorship after
seeing the poem misattributed in the Washington
National Intelligencer.

Moore took credit for the poem, claiming to have authored 
“some lines, describing a visit from St. Nicholas, which I
wrote many years ago, not for publication, but to amuse
my children.”

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)

On December 23, 1823, “A Visit From St. Nicholas,” perhaps
the most famous and influential Christmas poem ever was
published in the Troy Sentinel newspaper in New York by
an anonymous author.

In an event alternately described as one of the most heroic or
disastrous episodes in British military history, Lord James
Cardigan leads a charge of the Light Brigade cavalry against
well-defended Russian artillery during the Crimean War.

The British were winning the Battle of Balaklava when Cardigan
received his order to attack the Russians. His cavalry gallantly
charged down the valley and were decimated by the heavy
Russian guns, suffering 40 percent casualties. It was later
revealed that the order was the result of confusion and was
not given intentionally.

Lord Cardigan, who survived the battle, was hailed as a national
hero in Britain.

James Thomas Brudenell, 7th earl of Cardigan
(1797 – 1868) 

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.

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