LYCOS RETRIEVER 
The Star-Spangled Banner: Star Spangled Banner
built 223 days ago
Ninety years prior to being donated to the Smithsonian, the original Star Spangled Banner was in possession of the family of the commanding officer at Fort McHenry, Lieutenant Colonel George Armistead. Modifications to the flag while in possession of the Armistead family include a red chevron stitched onto the third white stripe from the bottom of the flag. The chevron was intended to be the letter "A" and was added by Louisa Armistead. The intention may have been to sew the entire Armistead name, as it was the fashion at the time. Another tradition was the clipping of small pieces of historical objects to give to others deemed worthy of such a keepsake. By the time the Smithsonian received the flag, eight feet and one star had been removed.
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It was the war of 1812; The Battle of Fort Henry left several holes and tears in the star spangled banner. Armistead, who lived in Baltimore, had owned the flag for over 100 years, gave away pieces as souvenirs. One considerable piece provided a burial robe for American Solder! A missing star in Old Glory was created with a removal of the 15 stars. It was thought to be a gift to President Abraham Lincoln or a high Confederate officer. An upside-down red letter "V" was sewn into the flag, and was thought to be the start of the commander of the war of 1812.
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The original Star Spangled Banner represents the history of a great nation built on diversity. The Smithsonian American History Museum has presented this historical feature in an exhibit utilizing Universal Design principles that promote equitable use. The accessibility features in this exhibit did not significantly add to the cost of the exhibit, and they are a great demonstration of how accessibility can be achieved with simple concepts. All visitors are offered the chance of experiencing the various aspects of the flag. Tactile, auditory, and visual information is available to people who have sensory impairments and are ... installed at a height accessible for people who view the display from a seated position.
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Photo via Wikipedia On this day in 1931, "The Star Spangled Banner" became America's national anthem. It was originally written as a poem. During the War of 1812, Francis Scott Key and a friend were sailing down the Chesapeake Bay when the British began their attack on Baltimore.
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The design of the American Flag at the time the Star Spangled Banner was produced included 15 alternating red and white stripes and 15 white stars in a blue union located in one corner of the flag. Each of these distinctive features has been represented in the exhibit. Tactile exhibits include replicas of the size and shape of the stars and stripes along with their arrangement. Although difficult to demonstrate the 30-by- 42 foot size of the flag to a person who is blind, the actual size of a star gives some perspective on the enormity of the banner.
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The words to the Star Spangled Banner ar stirring, still. They tell about the underdog, fledgling country standing against the tyranical, most-powerful, nation in the world . . . at that time. Anybody ever notice that all the lyrics are questions? It's about fighting the good fight for which the US flag should signify. Thank God for Jimmi Hendrix and his rendition.
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Star Spangled Banner