The Star-Spangled Banner Preservation Project is saving an American treasure--the flag that inspired our national anthem. At the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History, we are engaged in a significant effort to preserve this icon, which has been endangered by time, and exposure to pollution and the elements. In this Web site, you may learn the Star-Spangled Banner's origins and history, consider the flag's symbolism, track the conservation team's progress, and explore our educational offerings.