Who wrote the Star-Spangled Banner?

• A. Francis Bellamy
• B. Francis Scott Key
• C. Edmund L. Gruber
• D. James Madison

Answer: (B)

Francis Scott Key wrote the Star-Spangled Banner. He was a lawyer who witnessed the 1814 bombardment of Fort McHenry during the War of 1812 and, inspired by seeing the flag still flying at dawn, penned a poem titled Defense of Fort McHenry. That poem was later set to a popular English tune and eventually became known as the Star-Spangled Banner, which was officially named the national anthem in 1931. The other figures are known for different contributions: Francis Bellamy wrote the Pledge of Allegiance, Edmund L. Gruber wrote a well-known Army song, and James Madison was a Founding Father and president, not the author of this anthem.