* In 1814, Francis Scott Key wrote the "The Star-Spangled Banner," a poem, set to a well-known British drinking song, "To Anacreon in Heaven."
* In 1916, Woodrow Wilson ordered that the "Banner" should be played by the military and naval services.
* On March 3, 1931, the "Banner" was designated the national anthem by an act of Congress.
* Key's poem had 4 verses, although today only the first stanza is usually sung.
* The song's first confirmed performance at a sporting event was at the 1918 World Series.
* During World War II, the tradition of singing the anthem at sporting events spread.
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