On this day in 1931 “The Star Spangled Banner” became the national anthem.

“The Star-Spangled Banner,” one of the most well-known national anthems, was originally written as a poem. During the War of 1812, Francis Scott Key and a friend were sailing down the Chesapeake Bay when the British began their attack on the city of Baltimore. Key and others with him watched the bombardment of Fort McHenry, which continued for two days. Through those long nights, the group was able to catch glimpses of the huge American flag—42-feet long—specially made to be big enough so that the British would not miss it.

When at last the shelling stopped, Key anxiously peered through the early morning fog to see if the flag was still flying. And so he wrote on the back of an envelope the poem he called “Defense of Fort M’Henry.” As Key later said, “Then, in that hour of deliverance, my heart spoke: ‘Does not such a country, and such defenders of their country, deserve a song?’”

As Key was inspired by the heroic defense of his country, so too were the psalm-writers inspired by the acts and blessings of God. Just listen to some of their stirring tributes: “I will sing to the Lord because he has been so good to me” (Psalm 13:6); or “But as for me, I will sing about your power. I will shout with joy each morning because of your unfailing love. For you have been my refuge, a place of safety in the day of distress” (Psalm 59:16).

When we are aware of all that God has done for us, all the blessings he showers upon us daily, all the ways he guides, cares, and loves us, then we too will have to ask, “Does not such a God deserve a song?”

He does!

Sing about the glory of his name! Tell the world how glorious he. (Psalm 66:2).

To Do

Go ahead! Sing a song to God today—either one you know, or be daring and write your own.

Also on this day. . .

1845—Florida became the 27^th state.

1847—Alexander Graham Bell was born.

1923—The first issue of Time magazine was published.

From Betsy Schmitt and Dave Veerman, 365 Trivia Twist Devotions: An Almanac of Fun Facts and Spiritual Truth for Every Day of the Year (Cincinnati: Standard, 2005). Scripture quotations are from the New Living Translation unless otherwise noted.