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Old Glory

In the storming of Fort Wagner, the commander of the 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry and 116 of his men were killed. About 40,000 black soldiers died during the Civil War "” 30,000 of infection or disease.<br><br><br />
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<i>Storming Fort Wagner</i>. Color lithograph, July 5, 1890. Published by Kurz & Allison, Chicago.<br><br />
The New York Public Library, Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, Photographs and Prints Division.<br><br><br />
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Slaves to Soldiers: Storming Fort Wagner

Congress officially adopted "œThe Star-Spangled Banner" as America's national anthem on March 3, 1931. Written after the British bombardment of Fort McHenry in the War of 1812, Key's celebration of the American flag became immediately and lastingly popular in the young and robustly proud nation.<br><br><br />
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John Stafford Smith(?) (music); Francis Scott Key (lyrics). "The Star Spangled Banner: A Pariotic [sic] Song." First edition. Baltimore: Printed and sold at Carrs Music Store, 1814.<br><br />
The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts, Music Division.<br><br><br />
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"Our Flag Was Still There": The First Edition of America's Patriotic Song

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