On this day in 1931 Francis Scott Key’s “The Star-Spangled Banner” became the official national anthem of the United States. The lyrics came from Francis Scott Key’s poem “Defence of Fort McHenry” which Key wrote after witnessing the bombardment of Fort McHenry by the British Royal Navy in the War of 1812. There is no doubt I’ve probably heard this song more than any other song in my life. My favourite versions are Jose Feliciano’s version before a game in the 1968 World Series and of course Marvin Gaye’s version before the 1983 NBA All-Star game.