Star-Spangled Banner and July 4 trivia; can DC visitors ace them?

WASHINGTON — The Star-Spangled Banner is the national anthem of the United States. Can you sing it?

Downtown in Washington, D.C. - Union Station displays the Stars and Stripes for Independence Day. WTOP asked some passersby there on Monday to sing the National Anthem and take a quiz. (WTOP/Kristi King)

These people WTOP encountered at Union Station gave it a shot:

Union Station visitors sing The Star-Spangled Banner

You might not realize it but the anthem actually goes on for three more versus. The version you’re used to hearing at ball games is only the first part of the song.

So, how good are you at basic Independence Day trivia?

Union Station visitors try their hand at July 4 trivia

When quizzing people about the holiday, Giani Parker of Edgewater, New Jersey told WTOP her family doesn’t celebrate the Fourth of July.

“Not everybody was free then,” Parker said. “And people still aren’t free today, so there’s no sense celebrating it.”

Overhearing that conversation, Deonne Minto of Fort Lauderdale, Florida said she agrees.

“There are a lot of people who can’t take advantage of all the liberties that America claims to have,” Minto said. “They’re not free. They can’t enjoy that life because of economic depravity, or they’ve been locked out of the system.”

Union Station
Downtown in Washington, D.C.: Union Station displays the Stars and Stripes for Independence Day. WTOP asked some passersby there on Monday to sing the National Anthem and take a quiz. (WTOP/Kristi King)
Giani Parker of Edgewater, New Jersey is in D.C. visiting her daughter, pictured with Deonne Minto of Fort Lauderdale, Florida - the women discussed how the National Anthem's "land of the free" wasn't free for everyone when it was written because of slavery. (WTOP/Kristi King)
Giani Parker of Edgewater, New Jersey is in D.C. visiting her daughter, pictured with Deonne Minto of Fort Lauderdale, Florida – the women discussed how the National Anthem’s “land of the free” wasn’t free for everyone when it was written because of slavery. (WTOP/Kristi King)
Extended family: members of the Hassanpour, Toland and Cerdas families are on a two week visit to D.C. from Alabama. (WTOP/Kristi King)
Extended family: Members of the Hassanpour, Toland and Cerdas families are on a two week visit to D.C. from Alabama. (WTOP/Kristi King)
From Orlando, Florida Rob Stead is with his children David and Jessica. They were at Union Station vising Stead's uncle who works there. (WTOP/Kristi King)
From Orlando, Florida, Rob Stead is with his children David and Jessica. They were at Union Station vising Stead’s uncle who works there. (WTOP/Kristi King)
Coming to Washington, D.C. to see fireworks is on the bucket list of these friends who frequently traveled together: Pat, Tony and Ann of Sloatsburg, New York. (WTOP/Kristi King)
Coming to Washington, D.C. to see fireworks is on the bucket list of these friends who frequently traveled together: Pat, Tony and Ann of Sloatsburg, New York. (WTOP/Kristi King)
Cyp Wilfred of Las Vegas Nevada sings the National Anthem with his children, some who live in Nebraska. (WTOP/Kristi King)
Cyp Wilfred of Las Vegas, Nevada sings the National Anthem with his children, some of whom live in Nebraska. (WTOP/Kristi King)
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Union Station
Giani Parker of Edgewater, New Jersey is in D.C. visiting her daughter, pictured with Deonne Minto of Fort Lauderdale, Florida - the women discussed how the National Anthem's "land of the free" wasn't free for everyone when it was written because of slavery. (WTOP/Kristi King)
Extended family: members of the Hassanpour, Toland and Cerdas families are on a two week visit to D.C. from Alabama. (WTOP/Kristi King)
From Orlando, Florida Rob Stead is with his children David and Jessica. They were at Union Station vising Stead's uncle who works there. (WTOP/Kristi King)
Coming to Washington, D.C. to see fireworks is on the bucket list of these friends who frequently traveled together: Pat, Tony and Ann of Sloatsburg, New York. (WTOP/Kristi King)
Cyp Wilfred of Las Vegas Nevada sings the National Anthem with his children, some who live in Nebraska. (WTOP/Kristi King)

Scheduled events, road closures around the Mall
Getting around on July 4
Best area events
Ways to stay safe with fireworks
More Fourth of July News


Kristi King

Kristi King is a veteran reporter who has been working in the WTOP newsroom since 1990. She covers everything from breaking news to consumer concerns and the latest medical developments.

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