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<p>[QUOTE=&quot;TheNickelGuy, post: 8267941, member: 20201&quot;]<b><font size="6">1972 - Longines Symphonette</font></b></p><p><b>1814 Star Spangled Banner</b></p><p><b>34.1 gr 40mm .925 silver medal</b></p><p><b><br /></b></p><p><b>[ATTACH=full]1458960[/ATTACH] </b></p><p><b><br /></b></p><p><b>[ATTACH=full]1458961[/ATTACH] </b></p><p><b><br /></b></p><p>During the War of 1812, Francis Scott Key and others dined aboard the British ship HMS Tonnant as one of the guests of British officers. </p><p>Key was there to negotiate the release of prisoners. They were not allowed to return to their own sloop because they had become familiar with the strength and position of the British units and with the British intent to attack Baltimore.</p><p>Thus, Key was unable to do anything but watch the bombarding of the American forces at Fort McHenry during the Battle of Baltimore on the night of September 13–14, 1814.</p><p><br /></p><p>[ATTACH=full]1458962[/ATTACH] </p><p><br /></p><p>At dawn, Key was able to see an American flag still waving. </p><p>Back in Baltimore and inspired, Key wrote a poem about his experience, &quot;Defence of Fort M&#039;Henry&quot;, which was soon published in William Pechin&#039;s American and Commercial Daily Advertiser on September 21, 1814.</p><p><br /></p><p>It has become better known as &quot;The Star-Spangled Banner&quot;.</p><p>Though somewhat difficult to sing, it became increasingly popular, competing with &quot;Hail, Columbia&quot; (1796) as the de facto national anthem by the time of the Mexican–American War and American Civil War.</p><p><br /></p><p>More than a century after its first publication, the song was adopted as the American National Anthem, first by an Executive Order from President Woodrow Wilson in 1916 and then by a Congressional resolution in 1931, signed by President Herbert Hoover.</p><p><br /></p><p>When the National Anthem of the United States is sung or played, I personally grew up observing that men and women stand at attention and face in the direction of the music when it was played.</p><p>Men and women are to place their hands over their hearts only if the flag was displayed and face the flag. Those in uniform are required to salute. </p><p>I am proud to do this with respect for my country and flag.[/QUOTE]</p><p><br /></p>

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