On September 14, 1814, American soldiers at Fort McHenry in Baltimore hoisted a massive American flag to commemorate a major victory against British forces during the War of 1812. The sight of the "wide stripes and dazzling stars" inspired Francis Scott Key to create a song that became the national anthem of the United States. The first four stanzas of his poem were set to music beginning in 1815 by John Stafford Smith. The tune is still used today for various ceremonies at federal government agencies, military posts, and schools across the country. The original text of the Star-Spangled Banner reads as follows: To The Heavens And Back Again - Set to an Old English Folk Song My Country 'Tis Of Thee - Largo - Begins With A Distant View Of Washington D.C. I Love My Country - Allegretto - Shows Support For The Military And There O'er The Sea - Adagio - Praises Our National Anthem Key had no idea that his poem would become the national anthem. He died in 1843 without seeing it done. But his son arranged for the song to be sung at a celebration commemorating the 20th anniversary of Fort McHenry, and this may have started the tradition of performing the piece after significant events such as victories or defeats in war.