O say did you see? The Iowa Legislature is considering a bill to require Iowa students, grades K–12, to sing the national anthem every school day. I learned about this reading a story in the Des Moines Register by statehouse reporter Stephen Gruber-Miller, January 24. House Study Bill 587 was the topic of a subcommittee meeting chaired by Rep. Henry Stone, R-Forest City. Mr. Stone was quoted as being 100% in support of the bill, but open to making changes to incorporate feedback.
Here’s some feedback: It’s not a good idea. I like singing. I’m patriotic. (I generally sing the national anthem with considerable gusto!) I support schools’ ambitious music and social studies programs. Still, I doubt requiring this song would promote singing, patriotism, or understanding more about our nation.
That said, this draft bill DID prompt me to study the “The Star-Spangled Banner” (TS-SB) and Francis Scott Key (FSK), who wrote its lyrics. Now, in keeping with our school theme, I’m sharing some lessons learned in a multiple-choice quiz. Ready? (Answers below)
1. TS-SB lyrics were written by FSK during the War of 1812… but in what year? a) 1812, duh b) 1813, it took a while c) 1814, the war dragged on d) 1815, seemed like battles might last forever
2. How many stars and stripes were on the flag FSK wrote about? a) 13 & 13 b) 15 & 15 c) 18 & 13 d) 21 & 15
3. The lyric FSK penned was initially entitled… a) “By the Dawn’s Early Light” b) “Defence of Fort M'Henry” c) “The Battle of Baltimore” d) “The Free and the Brave”
4. FSK also wrote lyrics for an often-published hymn, with its opening line… a) “All people that on earth do dwell…” b) “You servants of God, your master proclaim…” c) “Lord, with glowing heart I’d praise thee…” d) “Holy, holy, holy, Lord God almighty!”
5. FSK’s brother-in-law (married to his sister), was his long-time friend…. a) John Quincy Adams, Sixth U.S. President b) Henry Clay, Speaker of the House, Senator c) Ralph Waldo Emerson, essayist & philosopher d) Roger Taney, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court
6. The FIRST documented public performance of TS-SB happened in…. a) October, 1814 at the Holliday Street Theatre, in Baltimore b) 1850, in Annapolis, when the Naval School became the U.S. Naval Academy c) 1861, at the Battle of Bull Run, Virginia d) October, 1903, at the inaugural World Series in Boston
7. FSK’s primary profession was: a) attorney b) tavern owner c) clergyman d) naval officer
8. In recent decades, these performers all interpreted TS-SB in ways that captured public attention, EXCEPT two: a) Rosanne Barr b) José Feliciano c) Aretha Franklin d) Steven Tyler e) Tony Bennett f) Marvin Gaye g) Alvin & the Chipmunks h) Whitney Houston i) Jimi Hendrix
9. At various times, these songs served as alternative patriotic anthems: a) Hail, Columbia b) America the Beautiful c) My Country, ‘Tis of Thee d) This Land is Your Land e) Lift Every Voice and Sing. f) God Bless America. g) Battle Hymn of the Republic h) all of them
10. When Representative Stone was quoted in the Register saying, “it’s kind of a no brainer for me,” he was talking about: a) teachers’ ability to incorporate TS-SB into their program b) his party’s caucus in the Iowa Legislature c) anyone who thinks this proposal would be easy to implement d) anyone who thinks this proposal would promote students’ patriotism e) all the above f) who knows? (…elected officials should NEVER utter “no brainer” and “me” in the same sentence, given current Iowa government examples)
ANSWERS: 1)c; 2)b; 3)b (yeah, that’s how he spelled it); 4)c; 5)d; (Taney was Chief Justice during the time of the dreadful Dred Scott decision; FSK is also distantly related to author F. Scott Fitzgerald); 6)a; 7)a; 8)e & g (Tony preferred “America the Beautiful” since it didn’t require a 12-note range); 9)h; 10)a… with e & f also accepted.
So, how did you do? I’m grading on a curve today; everyone reading this far passes! However… 80% or better, you should be teaching; 50 – 70%, nice going, you show considerable potential; 30 – 40%, you might bone up a bit on American history, focusing on the 1800s; 0 – 20%, okay, I’ll let it go THIS time, but even guessing, you should have been lucky three or four times. Thanks, all, for playing along.
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I’m pleased to be part of the Iowa Writers’ Collaborative. My colleagues:
Nice touch, and fun read!
Loved this!