Oh, say, can you see, by the dawn's early light,
What so proudly we hailed at the twilight's last gleaming?
Here are the words to the national anthem paired with colorful illustrations depicting the defense of Fort McHenry against the British during the War of 1812. It was from his vantage point at sea that Francis Scott Key witnessed and memorialized the event in song. 'The Star-Spangled Banner' was designated the national anthem by Congress in 1931. Ages 3-6.