While athletes continue to show their lack of allegiance to the flag and to the United States of America, it’s a good time to take a moment to remember the song that’s at the heart of what has become another racial issue dividing the country.

The national anthem, written by Francis Scott Key as a poem as he watched an American flag waving above the Battle of Fort McHenry in the War of 1812, was made the country’s official anthem in 1931.

U.S. Code dictates that everyone should stand during the national anthem.

Close

According to U.S. Code, individuals in military uniform should salute at the first note and maintain that position until the last note; members of the Armed Forces and veterans who are not in uniform may salute; and everyone else should stand at attention with their right hand over the heart.

When San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick sat during “The Star-Spangled Banner” during a preseason football game, he said he wouldn’t “stand up to show pride in a flag for a country that oppresses black people and people of color.”

He later insisted he wasn’t being “anti-American” — but if you’re not showing respect for these symbols of America, it’s hard to see how you’re anything but anti-American.

You may not be breaking a law, but you’re not following the U.S. Code, which is a guide of established customs for citizens. And you are simply not showing respect.

Here are some recent — and some of the best — renditions of the song:

Kristin Chenoweth
The Broadway star hit the high note during her singing of the anthem last Sunday, on September 11, at the game between the Arizona Cardinals and the New England Patriots. She also threw in some grand gesturing during her operatic arrangement.

Announcer Al Michaels called it a “stirring rendition.”

[lz_third_party align=center includes=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5L7EUUtUuYM]

Who do you think would win the Presidency?

By completing the poll, you agree to receive emails from LifeZette, occasional offers from our partners and that you've read and agree to our privacy policy and legal statement.

 

Jennifer Nettles
Video of country star Jennifer Nettles went viral last weekend as she wowed the crowd with a flawless, clear and pure rendition at the Battle of Bristol — the football game between the University of Tennessee and Virginia Tech at Tennessee’s Bristol Motor Speedway.

“What a way to get things started,” said the announcer when she finished.

[lz_third_party align=center includes=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=axtXkMExgr4]

 

Whitney Houston
The singer’s performance at the 1991 Super Bowl game, widely regarded as historic, came just days after the country became immersed in the Persian Gulf War. Houston’s version of the national anthem went gold after it was released as a single, and it was re-released after the 9/11 attacks in 2001.

[lz_third_party align=center includes=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N_lCmBvYMRs]

 

Lady Gaga
Some were skeptical that Gaga could pull this off in proper fashion, but she got rave reviews for her Super Bowl anthem, sung in February before the Panthers-Broncos game. “An amazing, powerful performance,” said the game’s announcer.

[lz_third_party align=center includes=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zv2f5r5O0-c]

 

Military Chorus
Big names need not always sing this song. Offering a rich harmony, this rendition features members of the U.S. Naval Academy, the Air Force Academy, West Point Military Academy and the Coast Guard Academy performing the Anthem ahead of the 2006 Super Bowl.

[lz_third_party align=center includes=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ETrr-XHBjE]