[imardmd1]

Anthems are necessary, for they are the song-poems that weave a culture together. Music wraps up the core values of a nation, a religion, an alma mater, etc. But that is exactly why I hate the vile rap format that the melanin-rich segment has gravitated to, and dragged values-forming teenagers with it.

Francis Scott Key formulated the Flag poem even before the verses for "America, The Beautiful" were dashed off. It's been around a long time--over 200 years.

I have two questions for all:

When was it that playing the Star Spangled Banner became an institution for opening athletic events? And why?

[discostu]

If anthems are so necessary how’d we get to 1931 before we actually declared one. Music wraps up core values of a culture, but that’s not an anthem. And the #1 audience for rap is, was, and always will be white people.

Key’s poem has been around a long time, but it’s only been our anthem for 86 years.

WWII, and all as part of the wave of shirt sleeve patriotism. By the time that faded it had become a tradition.