Detractors claimed that Linthicum, whose district encompassed parts of Baltimore, was eager to promote the city’s history more than he was in furthering patriotism. asking that the bill be enacted into law.”Īlthough the House approved the bill on April 21, 1930, the measure drew its share of critics. Also included in his submission were “letters and telegrams from 25 governors. Linthicum also submitted to the panel a petition of support with more than 5 million individual signatures, accompanied by resolutions and sympathetic letters from 150 organizations. “This country needs a national song to give expression to its patriotism,” he said. Linthicum urged his colleagues to attend the session. It took nearly a year for Linthicum to secure a hearing before the House Judiciary Committee, which claimed jurisdictional authority over the measure. Key was inspired by the large American flag, the Star-Spangled Banner, flying above the fort before the American victory. Key (1779-1843) was a 35-year-old lawyer and amateur poet who had witnessed the bombardment of the fort by ships of the British Royal Navy during the Battle of Baltimore in the War of 1812.

What is the star spangled banner song