The Star-Spangled Banner is the official anthem for the United States, but there are plenty of songs that have become informal American anthems for millions of people.

On this episode of NPR's Throughline, we share three stories from NPR Music's American Anthem series, which explored the origins of songs that have become ingrained in American culture.

Throughline is NPR's history podcast. Listen via Apple, Spotify, Google, or Pocket Casts.

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