On March 3, 1931, the “Star-Spangled Banner” was made the national anthem by a congressional resolution (46 Stat. 1508, codified at 36 U.S.C. § 301), which was signed by President Herbert Hoover. “The Star-Spangled Banner” was previously recognized for official use by the United States Navy in 1889, and by U.S. President Woodrow Wilson in 1916.
Before 1931, other songs served as the official hymns at American functions — including “America the Beautiful”, “Hail, Columbia”, and “My Country, ‘Tis of Thee”.
“Hail, Columbia” served at official functions for most of the 19th century. “My Country, ‘Tis of Thee”, whose melody is identical to “God Save the Queen” — the British national anthem — also served as the official anthem. Following the War of 1812 and subsequent American wars, other songs rose to the occasion at public events, primarily “The Star-Spangled Banner” and “America the Beautiful”.
On this day 86 years ago, "The Star-Spangled Banner" was officially recognized as the national anthem of the U.S. https://t.co/X9roxezF9K pic.twitter.com/BaP4TpYYZc
— ABC News (@ABC) March 3, 2017
Today In History, President Hoover signed a congressional act making “The Star-Spangled Banner” the national anthem of the United States. pic.twitter.com/BrgiNoSa4V
— Speak Liberty (@SpeakLiberty) March 3, 2017
Oh say can you see! On this #NationalAnthemDay here's 1814 sheet music and the first printing from Sept, 1814 of the Star Spangled Banner. pic.twitter.com/XpkIiSJGWE
— Carla Hayden (@LibnOfCongress) March 3, 2017
#TodayinHistory: 3/3/1931- Star-Spangled Banner est. as U.S. National Anthem, 100 yrs after being penned. https://t.co/JgvX17ENo2 pic.twitter.com/njZVCLDR8A
— AZ Department of Ed (@azedschools) March 3, 2017