On Flag Day—Saturday, June 14, 2014—Americans will “Raise it up!’ and come together to turn the national anthem into “the song that was heard around the world.”

THE HISTORY
Two hundred years ago, Francis Scott Key, inspired by the sight of the flag’s “broad stripes and bright stars,” penned the lyrics that would become the national anthem. His words gave new significance to a national symbol and started a tradition through which generations of Americans have invested the flag with their own ideals and memories.

Today, the Star-Spangled Banner is one of our nation’s most treasured artifacts, cared for and displayed at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History.

THE VISION
During this once-in-a-lifetime event to commemorate the Star-Spangled Banner’s bicentennial, Americans around the U. S. will join in the singing of our national anthem with celebrated musical voices. Across the country on June 14th, Americans will host singing parties to celebrate the anniversary and sing the anthem together. The Smithsonian will host Washington, D.C.’s premier singing party live on the National Mall, which will be shared across the nation and around the world via a 90-minute webcast from 2:30 to 4:00 PM EDT.

The live event will include musical performances from America’s top artists and the singing of American patriotic songs by national music groups. This will all lead to the culminating “moment of national unity” at 4:00 PM EDT when America will stop to sing their Anthem live across the country and around the globe. This will be a uniting moment for Americans across the country and around the world.

We encourage Americans to create their own singing parties in their communities and sing along from military bases, National Parks and Monuments, street corners, various public locations (restaurants, pubs, etc.), schools, public parks, youth organizations, and gatherings with family and friends. The Smithsonian is partnering with numerous national organizations to build awareness and participation for the event. We are seeking strategic National Audience Partners to join us to make history on June 14 and throughout this Star-Spangled Summer.

For more information, please visit http://anthemforamerica.si.edu