Bill Text: NJ AR112 | 2014-2015 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Commemorates 200th anniversary of "The Star Spangled Banner."
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 4-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2014-05-08 - Introduced, Referred to Assembly State and Local Government Committee [AR112 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2014-AR112-Introduced.html
Sponsored by:
Assemblyman RONALD S. DANCER
District 12 (Burlington, Middlesex, Monmouth and Ocean)
SYNOPSIS
Commemorates 200th anniversary of "The Star Spangled Banner."
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
An Assembly Resolution commemorating the 200th anniversary of America's National Anthem, "The Star Spangled Banner."
Whereas, On June 18, 1812, the United States declared war against Great Britain for interfering with American trade, forcing American soldiers to serve in the British Royal Navy, and occupying American territory along the Great Lakes; and
Whereas, This war, known as the War of 1812, marked a pivotal time in American history when feelings of national pride grew and our newly-free nation enhanced its credibility among other countries; and
Whereas, Following the outbreak of war, New Jersey established itself as a vital contributor to the war effort by sending 3,500 militiamen to fight; and
Whereas, An important battle took place in September 1814 when the British attacked Fort McHenry in an attempt to gain control of Baltimore, Maryland, an important seaport; and
Whereas, Francis Scott Key, an amateur poet and U.S. attorney, witnessed the battle aboard a truce vessel near Baltimore; and
Whereas, After 25 hours of defending Baltimore from British bombs, the stars and stripes of the American flag still flew over Fort McHenry in the early morning hours of September 14, 1814; and
Whereas, Upon seeing the American flag still waving and the British retreating, Francis Scott Key was inspired to write a song that captured the victorious sentiment of that moment; and
Whereas, Key's patriotic words entitled the "Defense of Fort M'Henry" were published in a Baltimore newspaper on September 20, 1814 and were made available throughout the country later that year; and
Whereas, Key's words were set to the tune of "To Anacreon in Heaven" by John Stafford Smith and later became known as "The Star Spangled Banner"; and
Whereas, "The Star Spangled Banner" gained popularity in the 19th century as a patriotic song and an important American symbol, and was adopted as the national anthem in 1931; and
Whereas, "The Star Spangled Banner" united the American flag with feelings of patriotism and resilience, helping to establish the American flag as an important national symbol; and
Whereas, The American flag that inspired the writing of "The Star Spangled Banner" is displayed by the Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of American History for all to see; and
Whereas, September 14, 2014 marks the 200th anniversary of the end of the American victory that inspired Francis Scott Key to write what became the national anthem of the United States; and
Whereas, In order to properly recognize the importance of the national anthem, it is fitting to commemorate the 200th anniversary of "The Star Spangled Banner"; now, therefore,
Be It Resolved by the General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. This House commemorates the 200th anniversary of "The Star Spangled Banner" and honors the importance of the national anthem.
2. Copies of this resolution, as filed with the Secretary of State, shall be transmitted by the Clerk of the General Assembly to the Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of American History and the Maryland War of 1812 Bicentennial Commission.
STATEMENT
This resolution commemorates the 200th anniversary of the writing of the national anthem "The Star Spangled Banner" which was inspired by an important battle of the War of 1812. Francis Scott Key witnessed the bombardment of Fort McHenry by British forces in September 1814. After 25 hours of defending Baltimore from British advance, the stars and stripes of the American flag could still be seen flying over Fort McHenry. As the British withdrew, it became clear that the American troops successfully held off the British, inspiring Francis Scott Key to write a song that captured the sentiment of that moment, became a symbol of American endurance, and would later be adopted as the national anthem.
September 14, 2014 marks the 200th anniversary of the end of the battle that led to the writing of "The Star Spangled Banner" and united the feelings of American pride and resilience with the symbol of the American flag. It is therefore appropriate and fitting to recognize this important day in American history.
