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Witness to History
Would the Star-Spangled Banner Still Be Our National Anthem If Francis Scott Key Had Live Streamed the Bombardment of Fort McHenry?
Outlook not so good
Late in the war of 1812, Francis Scott Key and another American witnessed the British Navy bombard Fort McHenry from aboard HMS Surprise where they had been securing the release of an American prisoner of war.
Safe in a hotel room after the perilous fight, Key eloquently processed his impressions into the stirring verse we cherish today as The Star-Spangled Banner.
But imagine the song we’d be singing before sporting events if Key had had the technology to share his raw experience, unedited, in real-time.
Hey, look at the flag!
It looks like it’s changing colors.
Red, green, orange, blue…
Ahhh… Ooohh…
So thoughtful of the Admiral to celebrate with fireworks.
Has anyone seen the boy? Could I get a cognac, please?
Holy Shit! That was close!
What was that? A rocket?
Look out! Here comes another!
What the fuck? We’re being bombed!
Oh my God! You’re bleeding! Someone help!
He’s bleeding! Where’s that God damned boy?
