Philadelphia, PA - Americans will “Raise it Up!” on Flag Day, June 14, and come together as part of Raise it Up! Anthem for America, a global celebration of the 200th anniversary of the Star-Spangled Banner. Led by the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History from the National Mall in Washington, D.C., the vision is for Americans across the country and around the world to stop and sing the national anthem at the same time, 4:00pm, on Saturday, June 14.

The Historical Society of Pennsylvania is proud to be a National Audience Partner with the Smithsonian for Anthem for America. To give Philadelphia a leading voice in the “Song Heard Round the World”, the U.S. Army Voices will be leading group-sing of the national anthem at 4:00pm on Saturday, June 14, 2014, on the front lawn of the National Constitution Center. This event will take place amidst Philadelphia’s Stripes & Stars festival, a daylong celebration of our nation’s flag and the U.S. Army.

A recording of the group-sing will be submitted to YouTube with the hashtag #raiseitup!  After the event, the Smithsonian will collect videos submitted to YouTube with the hashtag #raiseitup! in an attempt to break the world record for largest online video album. We encourage individuals and organizations to submit video recordings of their own personal performances to YouTube with the same hashtag, #raiseitup!

About the Historical Society of Pennsylvania

Founded in 1824 in Philadelphia, the Historical Society of Pennsylvania collects and shares the stories of Pennsylvania. It is home to some 600,000 printed items and more than 21 million manuscript and graphic items. Its unparalleled collections encompass more than 300 years of America’s history—from its 17th-century origins to the contributions of its most recent immigrants. The society’s remarkable holdings together with its educational programming make it one of the nation’s most important special collections libraries: a center of historical documentation and study, education, and engagement.

About the Stripes & Stars Festival

Celebrate the shared birthday of two of our country’s greatest institutions—the American Flag and the U.S. Army—during Philadelphia’s Stripes and Stars Festival on Saturday, June 14, 2014. Events include flag raising ceremonies, giant flag folding demonstrations, a special exhibition on the history of the flag, and more. Festival events will take place at locations in Independence National Historical Park and Historic Philadelphia, including Independence Hall, Betsy Ross House, and the National Constitution Center.For a full schedule of the festival’s events and event locations, visit constitutioncenter.org/stripesandstars. 

About Raise It Up! Anthem for America 

Anthem for America will be a live world-wide celebration when millions of Americans comet together to commemorate the 200th birthday of the Star-Spangled Banner on the National Mall, steps from the original flag that flew over Fort McHenry in 1814. Join us for a tribute to our flag and our national anthem on Saturday, June 14, by hosting singing parties in your home and in your communities. For more information about Raise It Up! Anthem for America, please click here. 

About the National Museum of American History 

Through its collections, research and public outreach, the National Museum of American History explores the richness and complexity of American History and helps people understand the past in order to make sense of the present and shape a more humane future. The NMAH is currently renovating its west exhibition wing, developing galleries on business, democracy and culture. For more information, please click here.