The Star Spangled BannerWhat does it mean... The Star Spangled Banner, What does it do for you? It's been through a lot. Composed September 14th, 1814 By Francis Scott Key after going through extraordinary circumstances gave this nation a great gift. But it wasn't recognized as the national anthem until 1916 when it was so by President Woodrow Wilson by executive order,and then it was mostly played at military events.