How Indian Rockets Became Part Of The US National Anthem

Inspiration for the Star-Spangled banner

Congreve rocket, from schematic by Sir William Congreve, dated 1814 — William Congreve [Public Domain]

Many times in your life you find yourself repeating words without really thinking about what you’re saying.

When you’re singing along in the car with a song on the radio, you often don’t stop to think if the words make complete sense. The same thing can happen with words in a poem or statement of deeper meaning as well.

For instance, in the American national anthem “The Star-Spangled Banner”, there’s the mention of bombs bursting in air and the red glare of rockets. Most will know this is a description of the 1812 British attack on Fort McHenry. However, where did the rockets come from? They’re a modern invention, aren’t they?

Well, this wasn’t poetic license or a turn of phrase to sound good in a song. There were rockets back then. What’s more, they have an interesting history which stretches back to India and carried itself to America via the British.

The British Face A New Weapon In India

British Forces Attacked By Mysore Rockets / Battle Of Guntur — Charles H. Hubbell [Public Domain]

“Every illumination of blue lights was accompanied by a shower of…