"The Star-Spangled Banner" is the national anthem of the United States. Written by Francis Scott Key in 1814, the song was inspired by the sight of the American flag, or the Star-Spangled Banner, flying over Fort McHenry after a night of intense bombardment during the War of 1812. The anthem was officially adopted in 1931. It consists of four verses, but typically only the first verse is sung at public events. The lyrics celebrate the resilience and bravery of the American people, symbolized by the flag, and reflect the nation's spirit and history.