Who wrote the national anthem of the United States?

• A. Francis Scott Key
• B. Betsy Ross
• C. Thomas Jefferson
• D. James Madison

Answer: (A)

Authorship of the national anthem is being tested here. Francis Scott Key wrote the poem Defense of Fort McHenry in 1814 after watching the British bombardment of Fort McHenry during the War of 1812. He described the morning light and the flag still waving, and that poem later became the lyrics to The Star-Spangled Banner. The song’s music was added later, and it was officially designated as the national anthem in 1931. Betsy Ross is the figure associated with making the first American flag, not the anthem’s lyrics. Thomas Jefferson wrote the Declaration of Independence, and James Madison helped shape the Constitution and the early government. These contributions are important, but they are not the person who wrote the national anthem.