"Flag Evolution" - The Star-Spangled Banner

CREDIT TO SIGNOFFSGUY FOR POSTING THE ORIGINAL VIDEO.

This was a popular station sign-off film for a number of TV stations in the 1970's, 80's and 90's depicting the history of America from the establishment of the Jamestown settlements through our initial trips to the moon.

It's notable that the film basically skips from World War II to landing on the moon, missing a sizable chunk of American history including Korea, the Kennedy assasination and Vietnam.

The version SignOffsGuy posted was from WRAL Channel 5 in Raleigh, N.C.; I personally remember the film when it was showed on WITI Channel 6 in Milwaukee.

The use of the National Anthem as a station sign-off has somewhat disappeared due to the fact that most stations now broadcast 24 hours a day by switching to a network feed overnight. However, this clip is still relevant as a very well made sequence of vintage images documenting American history with the tone of the music matching the pictures beautifully. Even in its grainy film form, this was a wonderful way for stations to begin or end their broadcast day.

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• national
• anthem
• film
• sign-off
• star
• spangled
• banner
• america
• american
• history

[jaystarstar]

A little curious to stick the flag of the only armed rebellion to take place on American territory right in the middle of the anthem.

[pfightingpolish]

We are a nation of challenges encountered and challenges overcome. The visual imagery shows the challenge encountered in the form of the Stars and Bars. It ends with the challenge overcome -- in the form of a vision of an African-American and an emancipator, Abraham Lincoln.

[ThadMemphis]

Nice, thorough description by the person who posted this. It is interesting to note the historical events that are omitted, apparently for the sake of keeping this video as free as possible of controversial, non-patriotic content. I really like it for that. The National Anthem should be an occasion for celebration, not soul-baring, introspective, confessional catharsis. (See "La Marseillaise" for comparison.) Love this. Thanks.

[pfightingpolish]

It does contain some controversial content, but nothing controversial in from the era within 30 or so years of the filming. That's what strikes me as interesting.

Part of me wonders what this video would be like if we would recut it now ...

[ThadMemphis]

Yes, you are right. Don't you agree, though, that the controversy that is included (Confederate flag thing, for example) is controversy that has been "resolved" successfully? That crossed my mind. Thanks for the reply.

[pfightingpolish]

I'll agree on that.

[tenbenny]

Wow...I remember this from when I was a kid and I've been looking for it ever since!!! Never forgot this!!! Made an incredible impression on me that has never left me...its seems such an honest look at American history...i love it!!!! So happy I found it!!!!

[alvirrubrodm]

God bless america

[hiresrootbeer1876]

I remember seeing this on WTAF- TV 29 in Philadelphia in the mid-1970's. It was broadcast around 8:55 AM before the start of that days programming which began at 9:00 AM.

[wb4ever1]

I remember when this was used as the sign off on the CBS affiliate in Washington, DC into the early 1980's, a great way to end a Saturday night of TV watching. It's a truly awesome video and one that still retains its power after all these years. I do wish it would be updated to include recent history, maybe end with the death of Bin Laden.

[cornerstone46able]

can anyone tell me where to find that original music of this to download?

[cornerstone46able]

I'm there also tenbenny! I remember this when I was a kid also growing up. My father at times, let me stay up late just to see this extraordinary historic video. I'm still trying to find the original mp3 music download for the anthem itself, but cant seem to find it. Can anyone give me any direction on where to find it on mp3?

[thefirefighter2011]

@pfightingpolish

great classic national anthems from the 70's and this one is probably from 1971

[GodBolt15]

@FiveCentsPlease: i truly agree on that... they will need to add on the scenes from desert storm, from 9-11 when the towers fell and the pentagon got hit... and the global war on terrorism we are fighting.. and the past five presidents that took office.. the thing about the spaceship being missing and today's generation of the armed forces

[djwash5]

I watched this a long time ago

when WTXF-TV use to sign off their broadcasting day.

Thank you for this video!

[nyr1994]

@TheRapper10000 woah...deep...good job!!!!

WE THE PEOPLE......