The tradition of performing the national anthem at sporting events dates back to the early 20th century. The first known instance of the national anthem being played before a sporting event was in 1918, during Game 1 of the World Series between the Boston Red Sox and the Chicago Cubs. Since then, the tradition has become a regular part of American sports culture, and the performance of the national anthem before games is often accompanied by military flyovers, fireworks displays, and other patriotic displays.