New Mexico Museum of Space History and Burt Broadcasting, Inc., Partner with Smithsonian for a Nationwide Singing of the National Anthem to Celebrate Star-Spangled Banner Bicentennial
Americans will “Raise it Up!” on Flag Day, June 14, and come together to participate in potentially the largest unified event in American history, turning the national anthem into “the song that was heard around the world.” As a Smithsonian Affiliate, the New Mexico Museum of Space History in Alamogordo, New Mexico, is proud to be a national partner and serve as an official location for “Raise it Up! Anthem for America,” a global celebration of the 200th anniversary of the Star-Spangled Banner and the lyrics penned in 1814 by Francis Scott Key after the victorious Battle of Baltimore during the War of 1812. Led by the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History from the National Mall in Washington, D.C., the vision is for Americans across the country and around the world to stop at the same time at 2 p.m. MST and sing the national anthem.
The New Mexico Museum of Space History and Burt Broadcasting, Inc., will host an All-American Picnic and Sing-A-Long to celebrate “Raise it Up!” on Saturday, June 14, beginning at noon in the upper parking lot of the museum. Bring your lawn chairs and join us under the big tent for free hotdogs, chips, ice cream and drinks (while they last) starting at noon. At 12:30, we’ll tune in to the live webcast from the National Mall featuring musical performances from America’s top artists; the singing of American patriotic songs by celebrity performers and national music groups; and celebrity-hosted video vignettes about American historical facts and events. This will all lead to the culminating "moment," when Americans will stop to sing their anthem live across the country and around the globe. If you can’t join us in person, log on to www.anthemforamerica.si.edu. All participants must be registered in order for the Smithsonian to know that you’ve “joined the party” and for your voice to count in this record breaking event. Weather and wind permitting, the museum will drape a spectacular 30’x50’ American flag down the side of the building as a tribute to the event. A special thank you to The International Space Hall of Fame Foundation, Lowe’s Grocery Store and MDC Computers for their support of this event.
Register your voice at: http://anthemforamerica.smithsonian.com.
The National Museum of American History is home to the Star-Spangled Banner, the flag that inspired the national anthem. Made in the summer of 1813 by Mary Pickersgill (1776—1857), a professional flagmaker, the flag was originally 30 feet by 42 feet with 15 red-and-white wool stripes and 15 cotton stars on the blue canton. After the war, the flag was privately owned for many years until Eben Appleton lent it to the Smithsonian Institution in 1907 and converted the loan to a gift in 1912. Beginning in 1998, the Star-Spangled Banner underwent extensive conservation treatment. It is now on display in a custom-built environmentally controlled chamber at the museum.
Information from: New Mexico Museum of Space History