677. USA: The Star-Spangled Banner (Part 1)

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Host Tom Holland opens the episode by singing the opening lines of 'The Star-Spangled Banner', the national anthem of the United States.

Tom Holland introduces a new series exploring the fascinating backstories of national anthems from six competing nations in the 2026 World Cup. He begins by reciting and discussing 'The Star-Spangled Banner,' originally written by Francis Scott Key as 'The Defense of Fort McHenry' in 1814. The series coincides with the upcoming World Cup hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada.

The hosts introduce a new series exploring the history and myths behind various national anthems. They outline the upcoming lineup of countries and announce that they will begin with the famously difficult-to-sing US national anthem, 'The Star-Spangled Banner'.

Dominic Sandbrook and Tom Holland discuss the origins of the American national anthem, 'The Star-Spangled Banner,' during the British attack on Fort McHenry. They explore the context of the War of 1812, a conflict often overlooked in both Britain and America, and the political motivations of the Madison administration.

The hosts discuss the failed American invasions of Canada during the War of 1812, which served as a foundational moment for Canadian national identity. Following the defeat of Napoleon in Europe, the British diverted resources to launch a naval offensive that culminated in the burning of Washington, D.C.

Following the burning of the White House, British forces target Baltimore and arrest Dr. William Beanes for resisting their looting. Lawyer Francis Scott Key is dispatched under a flag of truce to negotiate Beanes' release, boarding the HMS Tonnant in Chesapeake Bay.

Dominic Sandbrook and Tom Holland recount the events leading to the creation of the American national anthem. After securing the release of Dr. William Beanes, Francis Scott Key and Beanes are detained by the British and witness the spectacular but ineffective bombardment of Fort McHenry in Baltimore.

Hosts Tom Holland and Dominic Sandbrook recount the bombardment of Fort McHenry during the War of 1812, as witnessed by Francis Scott Key. They detail the history of the massive American flag commissioned by Major George Armistead and sewn by Baltimore widow Mary Pickersgill, which was raised at dawn to signal defiance against the British. This historic flag, now preserved in the Smithsonian, served as the inspiration for the American national anthem.

Dominic Sandbrook and Tom Holland discuss the events surrounding the writing of the poem that became the US national anthem. Francis Scott Key, after witnessing the defense of Fort McHenry and the retreat of the British forces, penned the verses on high-quality notepaper at the Indian Queen Hotel in Baltimore.

Dominic Sandbrook and Tom Holland discuss how Francis Scott Key's poem was distributed and published in newspapers like the Baltimore Patriot. They explain the concept of a broadside ballad, where new lyrics were written to existing tunes, and use a modern analogy involving The Beatles to explain the lack of copyright laws at the time.

Dominic Sandbrook and Tom Holland discuss the surprising history of the melody behind "The Star-Spangled Banner." They reveal that the tune was originally an English song written by John Stafford Smith for a London gentlemen's music club, which later gained popularity in the United States through abolitionists and political campaigns.

In the autumn of 1814, the song became a widespread hit, printed in newspapers from New England to Georgia. Thomas Carr, the owner of a music store in Baltimore, began selling copies of the lyrics and gave the song its iconic title, "The Star-Spangled Banner."

Dominic Sandbrook and Tom Holland discuss the publication of the song that would eventually become the American national anthem. They introduce a upcoming segment addressing the controversial allegations that the song glorifies slavery.

The hosts discuss the controversial history of the United States national anthem, 'The Star-Spangled Banner,' and allegations that its lyrics glorify slavery. They highlight a 2017 petition by the NAACP to replace the anthem, focusing on the lesser-known third verse written by Francis Scott Key.

Tom Holland and Dominic Sandbrook debate the meaning behind the words 'hireling' and 'slave' in Francis Scott Key's 'The Star-Spangled Banner'. They discuss whether the terms referred to British subjects and Hessian mercenaries or to African American slaves, examining the historical context of British forces recruiting escaped slaves during the War of 1812.

The hosts discuss how the British recruited runaway American slaves into the Corps of Colonial Marines during the War of 1812. This move deeply alarmed white American slaveholders, especially as these armed Black soldiers fought effectively in Virginia and participated in the burning of Washington.

This segment explores the historical context of the Star-Spangled Banner, focusing on the escaped American slaves who found freedom with the British during the War of 1812. It also examines the deeply ambiguous legacy of the anthem's author, Francis Scott Key, who was a slaveholder and a prominent member of the controversial American Colonization Society.

The segment explores the controversial legacy of Francis Scott Key, the author of 'The Star-Spangled Banner,' highlighting his active opposition to abolitionism. Despite his pro-slavery actions, his song grew in popularity, eventually being claimed by both sides of the Civil War and institutionalized by the US military.

Tom and Dominic discuss the history of 'The Star-Spangled Banner' and how it eventually became the national anthem of the United States. They compare its adoption to other national anthems like the French 'Marseillaise' and Britain's 'God Save the King,' highlighting the musical and political debates surrounding its selection.

Tom Holland asks Dominic to explain the musical concept of nineteen semitones.

Dominic and Tom discuss the historical opposition to "The Star-Spangled Banner" becoming the US national anthem, including alternative contenders like "America the Beautiful" and "Hail, Columbia!". They detail how the song was eventually signed into law by President Herbert Hoover in 1931, though it remained highly controversial.

Dominic Sandbrook and Tom Holland discuss the history of controversial performances of 'The Star-Spangled Banner,' contrasting American reverence for the anthem with British attitudes. They highlight famous renditions by Jimi Hendrix at Woodstock and José Feliciano during the Vietnam War, as well as Sacha Baron Cohen's infamous Borat prank at a Virginia rodeo.

Tom Holland and Dominic Sandbrook discuss controversial renditions of the American national anthem, referencing Borat's famous performance.

Dominic and Tom discuss Colin Kaepernick's 2016 decision to take a knee during the national anthem to protest police brutality, which sparked a national debate. They also touch upon the global impact of the gesture, including British politicians taking the knee and the toppling of Francis Scott Key's statue in San Francisco.

Tom Holland and Dominic Sandbrook discuss the historical context and modern controversy surrounding the United States' national anthem, 'The Star-Spangled Banner'. They explore its connections to slavery through its author, Francis Scott Key, and how abolitionists like E.A. Atlee later reappropriated the song's lyrics for their cause.

Tom Holland and Dominic Sandbrook conclude their exploration of "The Star-Spangled Banner" and preview upcoming episodes on other global national anthems, including "God Save the King". They also highlight Father's Day celebrations across several countries and offer a special promotion for their listener club.