About this episode
How did the War of 1812 result in America’s national anthem, the Star Spangled Banner? Who came up with it? And, why does this origin story make the anthem so controversial? Join Dominic and Tom as they launch into the first episode of their Football World Cup special, with the story behind America’s national anthem, and its secret story. _______ *Father’s Day discounted gift memberships available here. Treat your dad to ad-free listening, early access to full series, bonus episodes, and much more.* Join The Rest Is History Club: Unlock the full experience of the show – with exclusive bonus episodes, ad-free listening, early access to every series and live show tickets, a members-only newsletter, discounted books from the show, and access to our private Discord chatroom. Sign up directly at therestishistory.com To read our new newsletter, sign up at: therestishistory.com/newsletters _______ Lloyds. 250 years on and still backing the nation's aspirations. Advertise with us: Partnerships@goalhanger.com _______ Twitter: @TheRestHistory @holland_tom @dcsandbrook Video Editors: Jack Meek, Harry Swan + Adam Thornton Social Producer: Harry Balden Producers: Tabby Syrett & Aaliyah Akude Senior Producer: Callum Hill Executive Producer: Dom Johnson Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Listen to this episode in English to learn English
Podcast episodes are one of the highest-density ways to absorb English at native pace. 677. USA: The Star-Spangled Banner (Part 1) from The Rest Is History gives you natural dialogue, unscripted speech, and vocabulary that actually appears in real conversations.
In the Clue app, every word in the transcript is tappable. Tap an unknown word, see the translation in your language instantly, and keep listening without breaking flow.
Episodes to Learn English
- 676. The First World War: Churchill’s Calamity (Part 6) Jun 3, 2026
- 675. The First World War: Slaughter at Gallipoli (Part 5) May 31, 2026
- 674. The First World War: The Spy Who Took on the Germans (Part 4) May 27, 2026
- 673. The First World War: The Submarine Strikes (Part 3) May 24, 2026
- 672. The First World War: Italy’s Doomed Campaign (Part 2) May 20, 2026
- Empress Matilda: Civil War and the Fight for the Throne May 19, 2026
- 671. The First World War: Blood in the Trenches (Part 1) May 17, 2026
- 670. Tom Holland Meets Paul McCartney May 14, 2026
- 669. Greece vs. Persia: The Battle of Marathon (Part 2) May 13, 2026
- 668. Greece vs Persia: The Rise of the First Superpower (Part 1) May 10, 2026
- 667. The Mystery of the Mona Lisa May 6, 2026
- 666. Wine and the Birth of Civilisation May 3, 2026
- 665. Britain in the 70s: The Bailout from Hell (Part 4) Apr 29, 2026
- 664. Britain in the 70s: Scandal in Downing Street (Part 3) Apr 26, 2026
- 663. Britain in the 70s: The Brexit That Never Was (Part 2) Apr 22, 2026
- 662. Britain in the 70s: The Rise of Thatcher (Part 1) Apr 19, 2026
- 661. Dawn of the Samurai: The Shōgun Triumphant (Part 4) Apr 15, 2026
- 660. Dawn of the Samurai: Japan’s Greatest Warrior (Part 3) Apr 12, 2026
- 659. Dawn of the Samurai: Bloodbath at the Bridge (Part 2) Apr 8, 2026
- Music: The Father of the Blues, Golden Age of Jazz, and David Bowie | History in Photos Apr 7, 2026
- 658. Dawn of the Samurai: The Shadow of the Sword (Part 1) Apr 5, 2026
- 657. The Ku Klux Klan: American Fascists (Part 4) Apr 1, 2026
- Revolutions: Iran, the Prague Spring, and Ceaușescu’s Fall | History in Photos Mar 31, 2026
- 656. The Ku Klux Klan: Birth of a Nation (Part 3) Mar 29, 2026
- 655. The Ku Klux Klan: Terror in the South (Part 2) Mar 26, 2026
- 654. The Ku Klux Klan: The Rise of Evil (Part 1) Mar 23, 2026
- 653. London’s Golden Age: The Shadow of the Madhouse (Part 4) Mar 19, 2026
- 652. London’s Golden Age: The Ghosts of Culloden (Part 3) Mar 16, 2026
- 651. London’s Golden Age: Sex and Scandal in Georgian Britain (Part 2) Mar 12, 2026
- 650. London’s Golden Age: The Mad Life of Dr Johnson (Part 1) Mar 9, 2026