“The Star Spangled Banner”
This mystery cache celebrates our national anthem, “The Star Spangled Banner”! This misunderstood piece of music is both a visual and historical narrative of our history. It has a stormy past and took a circuitous path from pen to anthem. I hope that you gain an understanding and a greater appreciation of our nation’s anthem.
In the early years of our nation’s history, a man was on a ship just outside a major U.S. city. He was witnessing a battle between the U.S. and Britain. Our country had recently gained its independence but Britain was reluctant to completely sever the ties. As the battle ended, the man on the ship watched the British fleet retreat. Just as the sun was breaking the sky he could see a large flag flying over the city. It was tattered from the battle but it’s stance was firm. The sight was so moving that he was inspired to write what would become one of the most famous poems in our country’s history. It was later set to music, and even later became the anthem of the United States. The man was Francis Scott Key.
The difficulty of this cache is based on how hard it is to answer the following questions. No music knowledge is necessary, just a desire to increase your knowledge about the most important piece of music in the United States. Once the coordinates are determined, the find is 2-star difficulty, practically a park and grab.
This cache is only accessible from the I86 Eastbound rest stop. As such, parking is readily available.
This cache is inspired by the cacher ClaireAnnette, who has similar caches in Clearwater, FL and has given me permission to adapt them for my use locally. Many thanks!!!
Congrats to VTek43 (His personal 1st FTF!) and MeadsCreekMarauder for the co-FTF!
Answer the following questions and plug the correct answers in to the coordinates:
NOTE:The Geosum (the total sum of all numbers) for North is 24 and West is 37.
North AB CD.EFG West 0HI JK.LMN
A. Where was Francis Scott Key when he was inspired to write the lyrics for “The Star Spangled Banner”? He was aboard a ship just outside the city of _______________ .
1. Washington, D.C.
3. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
2. Jamestown, Virginia
4. Baltimore, Maryland
B. What was the original title of the “The Star Spangled Banner”?
1. The British are Leaving
2. The Defense of Fort McHenry
3. The Star Spangled Banner
4. America’s Pride and Joy
C. Where was the flag flown that inspired Key to write his famous poem?
1. Fort McHenry
2. Philadelphia
3. The Capitol
4. The White House
D. We all know that Francis Scott Key wrote the words for our national anthem. Where did the melody come from?
1. John Philip Sousa
2. Unknown
3. Mozart
4. Anacreontic Song
E. When did “The Star Spangled Banner” officially become our national anthem?
2. 1812
4. 1860
6. 1931
8. 1941
F. Francis Scott Key was a poet by nature. What was his professional career?
0. Lawyer
3. Priest
6. Navy Captain
9. Printer
G. According to U.S. Code Title 36, Subtitle I, Part A, Chapter 3, SS 301: “During a rendition of the national anthem . . . ____________________ “
1. Individuals should face the flag with arms by their sides
3. Individuals should face the flag, sing aloud, with the right hand over the heart
5. Individuals should stand at attention and remove their headwear
7. Individuals should face the flag, stand at attention, with the right hand over the heart
H. Is it appropriate to sing along when someone performs the national anthem?
7. YES
7. YES
7. YES
7. YES
I. Complete the lyrics:
“And the rockets red glare, the bombs bursting in air, gave proof through the night ________________________ “
6. That our flag was real bare
7. That our flag was still there
8. That our flag was still fair
9. That our flag must kill there
J. Who was hired to make the actual flag that inspired Key’s poem?
1. Mary Pickersgill
3. Betsy Ross
5. Rebecca Young
.7. John Courtney
K. How many stars and stripes were on the flag?
1. 15 stars, 15 stripes
2. 13 stars, 13 stripes
3. 15 stars, 13 stripes
4. 13 stars, 15 stripes
L. Where is the original Star Spangled Banner flag now on display?
3. The Betsy Ross House
5. The National Archives Building
7. The Capitol
9. The Smithsonian
M. When did Key write the poem that later became our national anthem?
1. 1812
3. 1814
5. 1776
7. 1780
N. Complete the lyrics: “Whose broad stripes and bright stars _____________________________ “
3. Through the perilous light
5. Through our perilous might
7. Through the perilous bite
9. Through the perilous fight