Read the following passage then answer the questions below. the star-spangled banner by. joanne quaglia 1. almost everyone has attended an athletic competition or a school event and has proudly risen for the singing of "the star-spangled banner" before the activities commenced. old and young alike sing the words to our national anthem with pride and patriotism. it is one of the most inspirational songs ever written. but, have you ever wondered where the song originated and what inspired its words? 2. in the summer of 1814, america continued to clash with great britain in the war of 1812. during one of the battles, the british navy led an attack on baltimore harbor, which was defended by soldiers at fort mchenry. at that time, baltimore was home to a well-known lawyer named francis scott key. british soldiers imprisoned one of key's close friends, and key and colonel john skinner, a government agent who arranged for prisoner exchanges, met wi