Oh say does that star spangled banner yet wave?

200 years ago, Francis Scott Key watched the all-night bombardment of Baltimore from the deck of a British ship. The American capital and Presidential Mansion were still smoldering as the British troops advanced north on their path of destruction. Inspired by the sight of the American flag flying the morning after the battle, he penned a poem to capture his emotions. Over 100 years later, it would become the official national anthem of the United States (in 1931, in case you’re wondering).

I’m totally one of those Americans who tears up when they hear the National Anthem. Having been raised in a military family, I’ve always been a patriotic person. The Fourth of July is one of my favorite holidays because it celebrates the beauty of American ideals. There’s something profound and moving about seeing the American flag waving against a blue sky, and it reminds me of everything America stands for and that people have willingly sacrificed to maintain what they believe in. So the next time you hear The Star Spangled Banner, remove you hat, place your hand over your heart, and thank God that you live in the greatest country in the world.