Why does The Star-Spangled Banner open with a question? Who wrote it—and during what war? In Part 1 of this two-part series, we uncover the wild, overlooked origins of America’s national anthem. From attempted invasions of Canada to the burning of Washington, D.C., this episode explores how a strange and nearly forgotten war—the War of 1812—gave birth to the Stars and Stripes’ most famous tribute. Whether you’re American or not, you’ll never hear the anthem the same way again.
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Chapter Markers
3:34 Introduction to The War of 1812 and how it led to the Star Spangled Banner
7:22 Loose basics about the war
10:46 The lead up to the war and the "other war" (The Napoleonic Wars)
15:26 Impressment and Anglo-American tensions on the high seas
23:16 The Canadian theater of war
36:17 The American theater of war
46:30 The battles on the Atlantic
52:22 Conclusion and preview of part 2
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