RARE ACCESS TO SMITHSONIAN'S ARTIFACTS ILLUMINATES STORY OF AMERICA'S NATIONAL ANTHEM IN TIME FOR 200TH ANNIVERSARY

A STAR-SPANGLED STORY: BATTLE FOR AMERICA

ONE-HOUR SPECIAL TO PREMIERE ON SMITHSONIAN CHANNEL(TM) ON SATURDAY, JUNE 14 at 9PM ET/PT

Raise a Glass to History, Special Interactive Web Event Launched To Help Toast The Bicentennial

NEW YORK, June 3, 2014 - Sung before almost every sporting event in the nation, The Star-Spangled Banner has stirring lyrics and a powerful melody. But many Americans don't actually know the words or the historic events that inspired them. To commemorate the 200th anniversary of Francis Scott Key's iconic song, Smithsonian Channel will premiere A STAR-SPANGLED STORY: BATTLE FOR AMERICA, an original one-hour documentary revealing the story surrounding America's National Anthem, on Saturday, June 14 at 9 p.m. ET/PT.

Two hundred years ago, America was a young nation battling the British Empire in a conflict known as the War of 1812. By late summer 1814, the fate of the entire country hung in the balance. Washington was in flames. The President and Congress had fled the city, the American army had collapsed, and conquering troops were burning the nation's capital. But out of this catastrophic time was born an inspiration and rallying song recognized by every: The Star-Spangled Banner.

A STAR-SPANGLED STORY: BATTLE FOR AMERICA explores the bicentennial of the National Anthem and the battle that inspired it, combining interviews with leading historians, conservators, and soprano superstar Renée Fleming, who sang the anthem at the 2014 Super Bowl. Experts explain why the song is so unique and what the individual lyrics mean to them. Historians reveal the story behind the War of 1812 and shed light on the divisive war whose outcome was vital to the fate of America. This special also includes historical re-enactments, 3-D computer graphics, hands-on demonstrations, and behind-the-scenes tours of the Smithsonian's extraordinary collection of artifacts to unlock the forgotten story of a time when the future of America was on the line.

A STAR-SPANGLED STORY: BATTLE FOR AMERICA gives viewers exclusive access inside the sealed chamber that houses the flag Francis Scott Key named the Star-Spangled Banner. Beginning in 1998 a decade-long conservation project stabilized the wool and cotton textile and removed harmful dirt and debris from the face of the flag. The flag is now on exhibit in a custom-built, low-oxygen chamber at the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History, and Smithsonian Channel cameras were there when it was examined for the first time since it was sealed inside this chamber in 2008. The Smithsonian has been home to the flag for more than 100 years.

In addition to the broadcast, Smithsonian Channel will partner with Smithsonian's National Museum of America History to bring our country's spirited past to life through one of its most time-honored traditions: having a drink. On June 2, joining in the nationwide celebration of the 200th anniversary of the Star-Spangled Banner, the two launched Raise a Glass to History, an engaging, extensive website (raiseaglass.si.edu) devoted to mining the fascinating, strange, and entertaining ways in which alcohol has played a part in our history through daily articles and videos from curators, writers, and cocktail experts alike.

The lead advisor of Raise a Glass to History will be James Beard award-winning author David Wondrich, a world authority on the history of the cocktail and one of the founders of the modern craft cocktail movement. Wondrich will oversee fourteen of the nation's top mixologists, each debuting an original recipe inspired by the story behind the Star-Spangled Banner. Each week, a new cocktail will be unveiled with a story detailing its ties to history and its flavor profiles, along with an original how-to-mix video. Wondrich will also judge "The 15th Cocktail: The Raise a Glass Contest," a competition where the public can submit their own recipes inspired by the history of the Star-Spangled Banner. The contest is open for submission through July 7. Three finalists will then be selected and voted on by the public for a chance to win a trip to attend the Star-Spangled Gala at Smithsonian's National Museum of American History on September 12 in Washington, D.C.

A STAR-SPANGLED STORY: BATTLE FOR AMERICA is produced by The Biscuit Factory for Smithsonian Channel. Executive Producers for Smithsonian Channel are Tim Evans David Royle and Charles Poe.

ABOUT SMITHSONIAN CHANNEL

Smithsonian Channel(TM), owned by Showtime Networks Inc. and the Smithsonian Institution, is where curiosity lives, inspiration strikes and wonders never cease. This is the place for awe-inspiring stories, powerful documentaries and amazing entertainment across multiple platforms. Smithsonian Channel combines the storytelling prowess of SHOWTIME(R) with the unmatched resources and rich traditions of the Smithsonian, to create award-winning programming that shines new light on popular genres such as air and space, history, science, nature, and pop culture. Among the network's offerings are series including Aerial America, L.A. Frock Stars, Secrets, Mighty Ships, Mighty Planes and Air Disasters, as well as critically-acclaimed specials that include Civil War 360, 9/11: The Heartland Tapes; MLK: The Assassination Tapes and The Day Kennedy Died. Find out more at www.smithsonianchannel.com.