Fact Check: The US government commissioned the Spanish version of the Star-Spangled Banner, titled El Pendón Estrellado, in 1945.

Fact Check: "The US government commissioned the Spanish version of the Star-Spangled Banner, titled El Pendón Estrellado, in 1945."

What We Know

In 1945, the U.S. government indeed commissioned a Spanish translation of "The Star-Spangled Banner," which was titled "El Pendón Estrellado." This initiative was part of a broader effort by the State Department to promote U.S. patriotism in Latin America following World War II. The translation was created by Clotilde Arias, a Peruvian immigrant and composer, who was selected for her ability to produce a singable version of the anthem that would resonate culturally with Spanish-speaking audiences (NPR, BBC).

The commission was aligned with President Franklin D. Roosevelt's "Good Neighbor Policy," which aimed to strengthen ties with Latin American countries through cultural exchange (BBC). Arias's version was the only official translation of the anthem that was intended to be sung, and it was created with the goal of making the anthem accessible to Spanish speakers (NBC Los Angeles, HuffPost).

Analysis

The evidence supporting the claim is robust and comes from multiple credible sources. The Smithsonian Institution's collection on Clotilde Arias confirms her role in creating "El Pendón Estrellado" as a commissioned work by the U.S. government (Smithsonian). NPR provides a detailed account of how Arias was chosen for this task and highlights the cultural significance of her translation during a time when the U.S. sought to improve relations with Latin America (NPR).

Additionally, the BBC outlines the historical context of the commission, noting that the U.S. State Department had previously translated the anthem into other languages but sought a version that could be sung (BBC). This context reinforces the idea that the commission was not only about translation but also about fostering goodwill and cultural connection.

While some sources mention that singing the anthem in Spanish did not gain widespread popularity, the fact that it was an official translation commissioned by the government is well-documented (Los Angeles Times, AARP).

The reliability of these sources is strong; they include reputable news organizations and institutions like the Smithsonian, which provides archival evidence of Arias's work. The historical context provided by these sources is consistent and corroborated by multiple accounts, making the claim credible.

Conclusion

Verdict: True
The claim that the U.S. government commissioned the Spanish version of the Star-Spangled Banner, titled "El Pendón Estrellado," in 1945 is accurate. The evidence from multiple credible sources confirms that this translation was part of an official initiative to promote U.S. patriotism in Latin America, and Clotilde Arias was indeed commissioned to create a singable version of the anthem.

Fact Check: The US government commissioned the Spanish version of the Star-Spangled Banner, titled El Pendón Estrellado, in 1945.