american artifacts program visiting our website c-span.org/history. next on american history tv, the smithsonian's national museum of american history commemorates flag day and the 200th anniversary of the spar-spangled banner with speeches and a variety of performances. the program ends with simultaneous singing of the national anthem. this event is about an hour and a half. how is everybody doing today, pretty good? i want to welcome you all to your national museum of american history and to anthem for american. my name is xavier. we are celebrating our national and international flag day sing-along for the 200 anniversary of our star-spangled banner. that's right. 200 years ago this year francis scott key wrote the words to a

poem in defense of ft. mchenry and set it to a british tune and together they form our national anthem, the star-spangled banner. here at the national museum of american history, we explore america's history through collections, research and public outreach. we help people understand the past to better make sense of the present, and to shape a more humane future. and we are hoping that our program will be able to do much of that by bringing the nation together around our national anthem. by the way, we're not just bringing people together here in washington, d.c., on the national mall, but also all over our country and indeed world. i'd like to send a special welcome to our streaming audience who is watching us via youtube stream and cspan3. it's very appropriate our opening conductor is well known bringing together singers with his infamous and well done virtual choir projects. i would like you all to join me

in thanking grammy-winning composer mr. eric whitaker. also, let me introduce you all to today's choir. i've got to tell you, these guys are great and i had a lot of fun with them earlier today at rehearsal. they are organized by john f. kennedy center of performing arts chorus america and classical movements. 400 voices from 45 states aged 9 to 81. let's give them a hand. we would also like to thank our men and women in the united states air force. as you guys can see, we have the united states air force band and singing sergeants with us today, but they're not only performing, if you look at all the things you see up here, much being run behind the scenes is also being done by men and women of our

united states air force, so please recognize them with a hand. [ applause ] also, we'd like to thank the national park service. without them we wouldn't have this beautiful national mall towards which to orient our performance. also at park service sites all over the country, folks are watching us online. please recognize them. [ applause ] and you guys are in for some really good performances today. many of them were made possible by our friends at wolf and tusk management. please give them a big hand. all right. now, to help us kick off this event, i'd like to welcome our esteemed first speaker. please welcome the 12th secretary of the smithsonian institution, dr. wayne kluff.

>> good afternoon. great day. enjoying it? welcome to the smithsonian national museum of american history, your museum. thank you for all coming to help us celebrate the grand 200th anniversary of one of our nation's most iconic objects, the star-spangled banner. today, on flag day, we celebrate in word, song and performance. today we lift every voice and sing. i want to thank the many talented performers who are here with us today, especially this gifted choir behind me composed of singers from sea to shining sea. let's give them a hand.

thanks also the u.s. concert band serving men and women around the world. let's give them applause. many thanks to our undersecretary for history arts and culture richard duran, deputy director of this museum and all my colleagues participating to help us organize this wonderful event. thanks go to our friends and supporters, friends at the national park service, john f. kennedy center and classical movement whose worked so hard with us to make this day special for all of us. the star-spangled banner was born in baltimore. we are honored to welcome the former mayor of baltimore and current governor of the great state of maryland, the honorable mark o'malley. he'll be speaking shortly. as well as director of the maryland historical society. we thank both of them for.

loan of the francis scott key's original manuscript, displayed today here with the flag for the first time in our history. opera singer renee fleming's gown worn when she sang the national anthem during the 2014 super bowl is also on display. we thank renee. every day, millions of flags fly in big cities and small towns like the one where he came from, all across our nation. they hang on front porches and store fronts, schools, military bases, museums, cities, state and federal buildings. small children carry them in big parades. i have a flag that was carried in outer space by a friend of mine who is an restaurant. our military men and women carry them into battle. they mark the graves of the fallen at arlington national cemetery, gettysburg and national cemetery in normandy, france. we salute our flag and what it means.

we salute those who defend it and those who live up to it. everything those flags stand for every where is symbolized by one flag here and that is the star-spangled banner. it is here, but we at the smithsonian don't own it. you own it, the american people. we take care of it and we have for more than a century. we preserve it and display it for the american people, and visitors from around the world who seek to understand our country, our culture and its great history. as one of our curators here once said, there is an accurate perception that we are forever, that we will care for an object eternally. this is a sacred trust we at the smithsonian take seriously because we owe it to the american people. we tell america's stories, stories of courage, of struggle, sacrifice and triumph. our scholars and experts will use the latest technology and techniques to keep this flag alive for generations to come.

so your children and your children's children can learn from the lessons it teaches all of us. you can see it here today. you can visit any time online. please do. it's your flag. it's part of the history and fabric of our country. for even more information on this important time in our history, please explore our online exhibition from our national portrait gallery, 1812 the nation emerges. tonight at 9:00 p.m. on the smithsonian channel, don't miss out on the star-spangled story, battle for america, with insights from curators from this museum. historian david mccullough says history feeches us what we stand for, what we ought to stand up for, history is or should be the bedrock of patriotism, not the chest pounding kind of

patriotism, but the real thing, love of country. his words stand the test of time. thank you for being with us today and enjoy. [ applause ] . thank you very much, mr. secretary. thanks to the work of secretary clough, the smithsonian is using this flag day celebration to bring the nation together. there are a lot of people helping us out with this celebrati celebration, including our 115 national partners, such as aarp, capital girl scout council, veterans of foreign wars, there are too many others to name. in 30 states and two countries hosting 86 watch parties. many of these watch parties are hosted also by some of our 200 smithsonian institution affiliates. at 600 macy stores across the country, people will be joining

us to sing along. that means from many summer in, washington, the rhubarb pie, to iraq, there could be folks all around the globe singing with us today at 4:00 p.m. we want to thank all of them for joining us. i hope you guys are ready. are you? are you tired of hearing me talk? i think that's what you are really saying to me. i think it's time for another performance. i'd like to welcome again our choir and welcome the united states air force band and singing sergeants to perform the "battle hymn of the republic," conducted by colonel henry h. lang.

♪ ♪ ♪ mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the lord ♪ ♪ he is trampling out the vintage where the grapes of wrath are stored ♪ ♪ he hath loosed the fateful lightning of his terrible swift sword ♪ ♪ his truth is marching on

♪ glory glory hallelujah glory glory hallelujah glory glory hallelujah his truth is marching on ♪ ♪ i have seen him in the watch fires of 100 circling camps ♪ ♪ they have builded him an altar in the evening dews and damps ♪ ♪ i can read his righteous sentence by the dim and flaring lamps his day is marching on ♪ ♪ glory glory hallelujah glory glory hallelujah glory glory hallelujah his truth is marching on ♪ ♪ in the beauty of the lilies christ was born across the sea ♪ that the hero or the broken crutch the servant with him says god is marching on ♪ ♪ glory glory hallelujah glory glory hallelujah

glory glory hallelujah says god is marching on ♪ ♪ our god is marching on ♪ glory glory hallelujah glory glory hallelujah glory glory hallelujah

my god is marching on ♪ ♪ in the beauty of the lilies christ was born across the sea ♪ ♪ with the glory in his bosom that transfigured you and me ♪ ♪ as he died to make men holy let us live to make men free ♪ my god is marching on ♪

♪ glory glory hallelujah glory glory hallelujah glory glory hallelujah my god is marching on ♪ ♪ glory glory hallelujah glory glory hallelujah glory glory hallelujah my god is marching on ♪ ♪ amen

[ applause ] >> that was great, everyone. thanks a lot. much like julio wardhouse words in the "battle hymn" the lyrics inspire us all. we want to join in that inspiration having the star-spangled banner to inspire us in something and you take a turn joining in that inspiration, as well. there are people watching us all over the country, all over the world. there are a lot of you here watching under the sound of my voice. many of you are going to be taking lots of pictures and taking lots of video of this event and of your various watch

parties. what we would like to you do is share those photos and it very goes with us online. while there, you can check out our interactive banner yet waves timeline. it features artists like alo black, trane, angie johnson and all these artists worked with us at the smithsonian to craft their own special versions of the star-spangled banner in celebration of this great occasion. it's real. >> nice. i've seen lots of those videos. all the instructions and information you need is on our website anthem for america.smithsonian.com. speaking of the wonderful artists in our timeline, many come from long-standing traditions in american music. our next performer fits with that position. she is part of the historic legacy of the carter family. she has the bloodline of legends

such as mother mabelle carter and june carter cash, after nearly a century of their first recordings, she makes sure that circle remains unbroken. so please welcome recording artist carline carter. >> thank you. hi. >> this is a little song about what it was like for me growing up as a little girl and traveling around with mother mabelle and the singing carter sisters. my little story. ♪ in my grandma's house her children would sing ♪ ♪ guitars twanging and laughing ringing ♪ ♪ i was little but i was the biggest kid ♪ ♪ i wanted to do what the grown-ups did ♪

♪ in a big car we'd head down the road ♪ ♪ sing for the miners who brought out the coal ♪ ♪ at times slept on the floor boards cold ♪ ♪ on a quilt by my sister the wildwood rose ♪ ♪ and if i could change a thing in this world ♪ ♪ i'd go back to the days with grandma in her curls ♪ ♪ singing sweet and low ♪ and the wildwood rose ♪ would be way down the road by the break of dawn ♪ ♪ biscuits and gravy and a truck stop song ♪

♪ in a world all fine ♪ i saw what i saw ♪ in the rear view mirror ♪ i'd get a wink from my grandma ♪ truck stop song ♪ ♪ in a world all my own i saw what i saw ♪ and in the rear-view mirror i'd get a wing from my grandma ♪ ♪ and if i could change a thing in this world i'd go back to the days ♪ ♪ when grandma and her girls were singing waoet and low ♪ ♪ for me and wildwood rose . ♪ a lay a o a lee a o o lay dee

who a lee o lay dee ♪ ♪ oh i'll always remember the day that she died ♪ ♪ my daddy he called me and he started to cry ♪ ♪ i rode on an airplane with all of my pain ♪ ♪ my tears would not stop ♪ we stood in a circle and sang ♪ ♪ will the circle be broken by and by, by and by ♪ ♪ will the circle be unbroken by

and by, lord, by and by ♪ ♪ there's a a better on the way in the sky, lord, in the sky ♪ ♪ in the sky, lord, in the sky thank you, all. it was an honor to be here. whoo-hoo!

♪ ♪

♪ tis gift to calm down where we ought to be ♪ ♪ when we find ourselves in the place just right it will be in the valley of love and delight ♪ ♪ where true simplicity is gained to bow and to bend we shant be ashamed ♪ ♪ to turn, turn will be our divide, turning, turning we come round round ♪ ♪ tis a gift to be simple, tis a

gift where we ought to be ♪ . ♪ tis the gift to be simple, tis the gift to be free ♪ ♪ tis the gift to come down where we ought to be ♪ ♪ and when we find ourselves in the place just right, twill be in the valley of love and delight ♪ ♪

♪ ♪ ♪ tis the gift to be simple, advertise the gift to be free ♪ ♪ tis the gift to come down where we ought to be ♪

♪ and when we find ourselves in the place just right ♪ ♪ twill be in the valley of love and delight the ♪ ♪ when true simplicity is gained ♪ ♪ to bow and to bend we shan't be ashamed ♪ ♪ to turn, turn will be our delight ♪ ♪ till by turning, turning we come round right ♪ [ applause ].

>> we want to thank the united states air force band and singing sergeants for that special arrangement of the shaker tune simple gifts featuring master sergeant emily wellington. let's give them and her a hand. [ applause ]. now, for those of you here in washington, if you're out on the mall, you might see, and probably have already seen, some of our many volunteers who are working together to help your people information, get them where they need to go, direct them to the opening of our museum where you can go in. and i really want to recognize them for coming forward and helping us with this the wonderful event. can you please give them a big hand. [ applause ].

they have the words raise it up and the stylized version of the 15 star and striped flag on her shirts. that was done for us by the martin agency. i would like to recognize them as well and their president john adams, who is also a member of the board here at the national museum of american history. so let's give them a hand as well. [ applause ]. here at the national museum of american history, we are the stewards of america's history. and also of the star spangled banner flag, which is sometimes known as the great garrison flag. now some of you are looking at me strange. the the flag that is sung about in the star spangled banner is in this building behind me. there are people as we speak looking at it now in an

exhibition. when we're done, you all can go inside the museum, see all the wonderful collections we have on display. but also see that star spangled banner flag, the flag talked about in our national anthem. when francis scott kings saw that 200 years ago he was inspired to handwrite a poem in the manuscript. that is also on display inside the national museum of american history. the original 1814 manuscript of our national anthem. the stewards of that manu script are the maryland historical society. i would like to introduce you to the president and ce of. it is largely due to his efforts that the manuscript and the flag have been brought together for

the first time in 200 years. as a matter of fact, probably closer to each other than they have ever been before. so please join me in welcoming him. [ applause ]. >> how exciting it is to be here among this great american music, particularly the carter family. very exciting. good afternoon, everyone. and this wonderful, glorious day, this flag day. we at the maryland historical society are honored to be sharing our star spangled banner manuscript written by francis scott key in 1814. today, as these two american icons, the giant flag and tiny

document are joined for the very first time. i have a short story to tell you. no one in baltimore knew what to expect when dawn broke september 14th, 1814. the night had been stormy, violent, enemy bridge ships, so-called bomb vessels named meteor, aetna and devastation had been lobbying 200-pound exploding bombs for 20 hours straight. screaming rockets were lighting up the gloomy darkness. the americans were returning fire from gun batteries lying in the shore. it had been quite a show for baltimore, noisy, terrifying, and hypnotic. every american within range, soldier, or private citizen was watching anxiously from roof and hilltop alike.

the future and the perhaps the united states republic itself were hanging in the balance. since the u.s. declared war against the strongest nation, the fast growing port of baltimore and the chesapeake bay community had been targets. in the hot, stormy summer of 1814, nightmares come true. the the u.s. capitol and the white house went up in flames. the u.s. president fled for their lives. and now it was baltimore's turn. fast clippers, privateeers had been preying on enemy merchant ships throughout the entire war. the city would have been left in ruins if they succeeded. two days earlier, desperate fighting at north point killed a general. and faced with 15,000 entrenched and defenders with 100 cannons,

the enemy land attack had already failed. but with fort hick henry fall under the naval bombardment. would red coats be in the streets with burning torches? first it brought cures onity, nerves and hope. thousands of eyes peered at the land in the distance. cheers started in the harbor. the flag was still there. one volunteer summed up the many tears of joy. we were filled with exaltation. another was detained after releasing prisoners under a flag of troops. francis scott key, a successful lawyer in the new national capital was also a gentleman. within two days he put pen to

paper vividly describing in four forces the well of emotions everyone felt at this very unlikely victory. set to a popular club song called the defense of fort mchenry, it was picked up by newspapers all over america and became the star spangled banner without a month. the humble mr. key had a simple explanation for his achievement. in that hour of deliverance and joyful triumph the heart spoke. does not such a country and such defenders of their country deserve a song? that song, forever identified with the giant flag that inspired it, remained popular, especially during public ceremonies. and in 1931, more than a century after the war that inspired it, president herbert hoover signed the bill that made it our national anthem. and today we are celebrating the winding 200-year journey that has brought a tiny piece of paper and giant flag together for the very first time.

we celebrate the families of the 1814 defenders that saved these precious icons in their baltimore homes throughout the 19th century. the flag was displayed, hanging on buildings. pieces were snipped off and shared with honored guests. the manuscript was displayed in a baltimore parlor. they have conserved, displayed and interpreted flag and documents for more than a century. the flag is still the centerpiece of our national museum devoted to america's memory. at the maryland historical society in baltimore, our document is the focus of an 1812 exhibit that is second to none. and we celebrate mr. key's timeless words, four verses that not only discover that a garrison flag has survived the chaos of battle but also

described those stars and stripes as symbols of piece and victory for a new nation that aspires to be the land of the free and the home of the brave. at the start of this busy star spangled maryland summer aimed at bicentennial baltimore in september, the 170-year-old historical society founded in part by the 1814 defenders themselves is very proud to share this special moment with the smithsonian, the national capital and the entire nation. take time out during the next two weeks. visit two of america's most important icons together for the first time here in the national museum of america history's beautiful flag chamber. you will discover that it is a once in a lifetime experience. thank you very much. [ applause ].

>> thank you very much, mr. kummerow. now, i know we have a lot of people joining us all across the nation, all across the world via our webcast. but i want to take just a little moment to say something to the folks we have here. first off, how many people live in this area? [ cheers and applause ]. >> all right. how many people of natives of the area? yes, yes. we all here have some of our own regional favorites and local styles. and we certainly appreciate the star spangled banner. we have a bit of a treat for you today because we have a group with local connections. they're from right up the road in potomac, maryland. anybody from potomac?

as a bonus, they are smithsonian folkways artists. it supports cultural diversity and increased diversity through sound. and i think you will like the sound they make. they have been featured at concerts, television, radio, even on the national mall during the fourth of july celebration. i know you're going to love them. warner williams and jay summerour are a little bit of blues. >> all right. ♪

♪ ♪ ♪

♪ ♪

♪ ♪

♪ ♪

♪ ♪ i love to hear my baby call my name ♪ ♪ i love to hear my baby call my name ♪

♪ well, the blues ain't nothing but a poor man feeling bad ♪ ♪ i said the blues ain't nothing but a poor man feeling bad ♪ ♪ thank you. thank you so much. thank you very much.

>> thanks for the blues. star spangled banner, the bombardment at fort mchenry in baltimore 200 years ago. we have citizens of baltimore joining us online today right there. and they are from sphrb some of them from the national site. they are hosting a watch partiment hope you are having as much fun there as we are here. this next represents the people of baltimore. first as the city's mayor. now in his second term as governor of maryland. he is co-chair. appointed to the first ever such council by president barack obama. it is my privilege to introduce you all today the honorable governor martin o'malley. [ applause ].

>> thank you very, very much. my name is martin o'malley, i'm the governor of maryland. it is a great honor to be here with all of you today on behalf of the people of maryland. people who in both of our countries wars of independence played such a central role. not only geographically, militarily but spiritually. helping us to define for ourselves what it meant to be an american. in one of the more poignant stories told of the commissioning of our giant star spangled banner, when major armitstead and sam smith went to mary pinkersgills home to commission this huge flag, it was sewn together not only by mary and her daughters but also a young 13-year-old

african-american servant girl. picture that. black hands, white hands sewing together the stars and stripes. and i would submit to you that the thread that held that flag together then is the thread that holds it together now. and it is the threat of human dignity, of neighbors helping neighbors, of neighbors believing in neighbors and believing in what we could accomplish together. one out of five of the defenders in the shock and awe when they turned on our stickers one of five defenders were african-american citizens of a still unperfect country. 50% of the defenders were immigrants or the sons and daughters of immigrants. together without regard to class or race they dug trenches around our city. they held their ground. they defended this place, our

place, the united states. just as the flag was made strong by the individual threads so, too, is our country today made stronger by the individual threads of each of our stories. remind your children in this bicentennial year when we are the first generation of americans to have experienced attacks on the continental united states, we are the first generation of americans to have felt what it was like to have our government buildings attacked. remind your children that freedom is not free and that our country's greatness is found in one another. that's what the star spangled banner is about. that's what this commemoration year is about, to tell that story and to lift every voice and to sing. thank you. [ applause ].

>> thank you very, very much, governor o'malley, for those words. when francis scott key wrote his famous words, o'er the land of the free, many had no freedom. the march towards rights and equality had come to symbolize the american spirit for generations of people and continue to even today. james weldon and john rosenman johnson immortalized this in a song, a very special song that has come to be known in the african-american movement but speak to folks of all different cultures and backgrounds much like the words of our national an hem, the star spangled banner. please welcome at this time the composer and conductor, visionary in music education. he's the founder of the national

award-winning young peoples chorus. they won the highest honor and were presented this award by first lady michelle obama at the white house. he's also a macarthur genius fellowship recipient. mr. francisco nunez to conduct the black national anthem lift every voice and sing. [ applause ]. ♪

♪ lift every voice and sing till earth and heaven ring ♪ ♪ ring with the harmonies of liberty ♪ ♪ let our rejoicing rise ♪ high as the listning skies ♪ let it resound loud as the rolling sea ♪

♪ stoney the road we trod, bitter the chastening rod ♪ ♪ felt in the days when hope unborn had died yet with a steady beat ♪ 2340e9 have not our weary quote come to the place for which our fathers sighed ♪ ♪ we have come over a way that with tears has been watered ♪ ♪ we have come treeding our path through the blood of the

slaughtered ♪ ♪ out from the gloomy past till now we stand at last ♪ ♪ where the white tkphraoepl of our bright star is cast ♪ ♪ ♪ of our weary years, god of our silent tears ♪ ♪ thou who hast brought us thus far on the way ♪ ♪ thou who hast by thy might

♪ led us into the light ♪ keep us forever in the path, we pray ♪ ♪ ♪ lest our feet stray from the places, our god, where we met thee ♪ lest our hearts, drunk with the wine of the world, we forget thee ♪

♪ shadowed beneath thy hand, may we forever stand ♪ ♪ true to our god, true to our native land ♪ ♪ amen [ applause ]. >> thank you so much, everyone. it is truly great to come

together in song with such amazing performances. here at national museum of american history, we have our own very rich musical collections. prince of guitar, drums, and stradivarius. they represent all genres and eras of american music. of course if you're going to collect and interpret american music, you have to have jazz. and so what i would like to do for you all today is in true dues our orchestra in residence. they will help us celebrate the year 1931. now, this is a very important year. not just because jazz was king in 1931 with venues like the cotton club and big bands with exuberant band leaders like duke ellington and others but because 1931 is the year that the star spangled banner was adopted as

our national anthem. so don't say you didn't learn anything from this program we have today. so, here are the smithsonian jazz master works orchestra under the artistic direction of charlie young and executive producer kim kimly perform agriculture i jazz classic from that year, 1931. cab callow a's mini the moocher. ♪

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♪ ♪ ♪

♪ ♪ ♪

♪ ♪

♪ ♪

♪ ♪ ♪

♪

♪ ♪ >> we want to thank francisco nunez for conducting. i had an opportunity to hang out with him yesterday and today and he really is amazing. we really appreciate him. please give him a hand if you will. yes. [ applause ].

and also you guys we have real brave folks up here on the stage who have been braving this hot sun the whole time. our choir is wonderful. please give them another hand. [ applause ]. that was mambo from "west side story" featuring our choir here. and also featuring a united states air force band. yes, please. [ applause ]. today the members of the united states air force band and singing sergeants are representing all the men and women of the armed forces who defend our flag and its ideals. do we have any veterans or military personnel today watching us? can you, please, everyone, stand and recognize them with a hand. [ applause ].

thank you for your service and selfless sacrifice. we really want to appreciate that. and to pay tribute to all veterans, especially those who have given ultimate sacrifice in service to our nation. here is technical sergeant daniel anderson and the united states air force band in last full measure of devotion, followed by god bless america. ♪ ♪ in the long and honored

history of america ♪ ♪ there are names that shine like beacon in the night ♪ ♪ the patriots whose vision gave us meaning ♪ ♪ who kept the lamp of freedom burning bright ♪ ♪ in the long and honored history of america there are those that paid the last and final price ♪ ♪ who were called upon by chance, or desperate circumstance, to make the ultimate sacrifice ♪ ♪ a grateful nation bows its head in sorrow ♪ ♪ and in thanks for guarantee ts

our tomorrow ♪ ♪ the last full measure of devotion ♪ ♪ that's what they gave to the cause ♪ ♪ the last full measure of devotion and though they cannot hear our applause ♪ ♪ we honor them forever and keep alive their story ♪ ♪ pay tribute to their lives and give them all the glory ♪ ♪ the last full measure of

devotion ♪ ♪ beyond the call of duty were their deeds ♪ ♪ the last full measure of devotion ♪ ♪ they gave themselves to serve the greater need ♪ ♪ and for those who did survive and came back home alive ♪ ♪ they join in praise of comrades who were slain ♪ ♪ and highly resolved, most highly resolved ♪ ♪ that these dead shall not have died in vain ♪

♪ the last full measure of devotion beyond the call of duty were their deeds ♪ ♪ the last full measure of devotion, they gave themselves to serve the greater need ♪ tphoelt and for those who did survive and came back home alive ♪ ♪ they join in praise of comrades who were slain ♪ ♪ and highly resolved, most highly resolved ♪ ♪ that these dead shall not have died in vain" [ applause ].

♪ ♪ while the storm clouds gather

far across the sea ♪ ♪ let us swear allegiance to a land that's free ♪ ♪ let us all be grateful for a land so fair ♪ ♪ as we raise our voices in solemn prayer ♪ ♪ god bless america ♪ land that i love ♪ stand beside her and guide her ♪ ♪ through the night with a light from above ♪

♪ from the mountains, to the prairies ♪ ♪ to the oceans, white with foam ♪ ♪ god bless america, my home sweet home" ♪ god bless america, land that i love ♪ ♪ stand beside her, and guide her ♪ ♪ thru the night with a light from above ♪ in the from the mountains, to the prairies ♪ ♪ to the oceans, white with

foam ♪ ♪ god bless america, my home sweet home ♪ ♪ god bless america, my home sweet home stpoet [ applause ].

all right, everyone. our national sing-along is almost here. we're just minutes away. i would like to introduce you to our next guest, who i am really excited about. she was adopted from a family in woodstock but born from romania. she has a brother on the police force here in washington, d.c. here to prove the words of woody tkpwrugtry's timeless ode to the american spirit, this land is your land. please welcome kristin capelino.

♪ this land is your land, this land is my land ♪ ♪ from california to the new york island ♪ ♪ from the redwood forest to the gulfstream waters ♪ ♪ this land was made for you and me ♪ ♪ as i was walking that ribbon of highway, i saw above me that end also skyway ♪ ♪ i saw below me that golden valley, this land was made for you and me ♪

♪ ♪

♪ this land is your land, this land is my land ♪ ♪ from california to the new york island ♪ to the gulf stream waters ♪ ♪ this land was made for you and me ♪ ♪ yeah ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ [ applause ] >> thank you!

>> thank you, kristin. i would like to ask all of our speakers, all of our guest and performers to join me on stage, please, because it's just about that time for us to sing together. you know, 200 years ago when the british marched and the sailors sailed on baltimore, francis scott key, a lawyer sent to negotiate a prisoner exchange was on a british ship and witnessed that attack, the bombardment of fort mchenry. imagine how his worry turned to joy when the smoke began to clear and high above the fort he saw the red, white and blue of the flag waving strongly, declaring the young nation was still sovereign. i would like to invite our speakers as well as all of you here and all of us watching us online, in honor of those who served our country, soldiers, officials, teachers, doctors, tradesmen, friends, parent, children, visitors and everyone who enjoys the freedom on which we stand and to join me in song for this flag day of the 200th

year of its existence. please stand and sing with me the national anthem, the "star-spangled banner." ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ o say, can you see by the dawn's early light ♪ ♪ what so proudly we hailed at the twilight's last gleaming? ♪ ♪ whose broad stripes and bright stars through the perilous fight ♪ ♪ o'er the ramparts we watched were so gallantly

streaming? ♪ ♪ and the rockets' red glare the bombs bursting in air ♪ ♪ gave proof through the night that our flag was still there ♪ ♪ oh, say, does that star-spangled banner yet wave ♪ ♪ o'er the land of the free ♪ ♪ and the home of the brave? ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ brave ♪

[ cheers and applause ] >> we want to wish the star-spangled banner a happy 200th birthday and we hope there will be 200 more to come, obviously. i want to thank you all, all of you watching our web stream, all of you here today, i would like to thank all of our partners including everyone on the stage up here with me, let's give all of you wonderful conductors performing, the men and women of the air force a big hand [ applause ] as well as the smithsonian institution, our partners in washington, d.c., and all across the country. i ask that you please, before you leave, make sure to help keep our wonderful national mall

clean by disposing of your trash in the appropriate places and if there's trash that doesn't belong to anyone, please do us a favor and pick it up it would help us out in the park service as well as those of us here in the museum of american history. once again, my name is xavier, and i thank you for joining us here, all around the nation and all around the world. thank you very much, guys and be good, all right? ♪ ♪ ♪ you're watching american had history tv all weekend, every weekend on c-span3. to join the conversation like us on facebook at cspanhistory. each week american history tv series "the civil war" marks the 150th anniversary of the conflict by bringing you lectures, discussions and battlefield visits. 150 years ago in july of