Josh Turner Helps Celebrate the 200th Anniversary of the Star-Spangled Banner

On Saturday, June 14th, the National Museum of American History will celebrate the 200th anniversary of the Star-Spangled Banner on Flag Day with the Raise It Up! Anthem for America Concert. Held at the American History Museum at the National Mall, the free event will feature music from guitarist Kristen Capolino, local blues band Little Bit a Blues, a 400-person choir, The United States Air Force Concert Band, and the official chorus of the U.S. Air Force, the Singing Sergeants. Attendees will also be able to see Francis Scott Key’s original "Star-Spangled Banner" manuscript (which is on loan from the Maryland Historical Society), the dress opera singer Renée Fleming wore to sing at the anthem at the Super Bowl, and, of course, the real Star-Spangled Banner flag.

If you're not in DC and want to celebrate the day, there are other options. The concert will be streamed live online; you can attend a community party in your area or you can even host your own. Regardless of which option you choose, at 4pm EDT, you can join with people around the world in singing the Star-Spangled Banner.

In the meantime, to get you prepared, you can hear artists from rock, R&B, bluegrass and country share their renditions of the iconic song. The Smithsonian commissioned Angie Johnson, Della Mae, Jonathan Batiste, Josh Turner, Kermit Ruffins, Orba Squara, Pat Monahan of Train, Phish, Rebirth Brass Band, Sam Bush, The Steep Canyon Rangers, Valerie June and Warren Haynes (to name a few) to share their own versions of the anthem.

In a press release, Josh talked about being asked to sing the song, saying, "'The Star-Spangled Banner' has become one of the most recognizable songs in our country's history. It was inspired by an actual event where our country was attacked, prevailed and our flag was still waving in the aftermath. It outlines what our flag stands for and why that's so important. It is always an honor to sing it."

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Josh Turner