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Something to Stand For - Our National Anthem - Mike Rowe 2026

I wrote this story nine years ago, shortly after Colin Kapperneick took a knee during the National Anthem.

In the aftermath of that gesture, and all the controversy that surrounded it, a lot of decent Americans who genuinely loved this country became uncomfortable standing for our national anthem. They were afraid that doing so would send the wrong message. But they were also uncomfortable kneeling, because that too, seemed disrespectful to a cause they cared about. Thus, a lot of people who shared Dr. King's dream of living in a colorblind society, were suddenly unsure about how to express their devotion to this imperfect country, without seeming indifferent to her imperfections.

One day, on another long flight across the country, I wrote a story about a few of the lesser-known events surrounding the writing of The Star-Spangled Banner. In particular, the role of two teenagers and a runaway slave on the outcome of that most consequential battle. Growing up in Baltimore with a father who taught social studies, I was well-acquainted these facts and shared the story on my podcast. I never imagined that several years later, it would be brought to life for a TV series called The Story Behind the Story. Nor did I ever imagine it would become the basis of a movie which was released a year ago this week.

Funny what can happen when a story takes hold.

Anyway, this is the current version of Something to Stand For, brought to life for the movie of the same name. If you like it, I hope you’ll check out the whole film, which features a total of nine unapologetically patriotic stories, stitched together with a trip to DC, where I reacquaint myself with our countries greatest memorials, and remind myself that America is both a great nation, and a work in progress. The film is currently streaming on Angel Studios and hanging tough on Rotten Tomatoes with 98%. For whatever that’s worth.

Giovanni Battista Piranesi 'The Colosseum' 1776

A bird’s eye view of the Colosseum showing the 14 aedicules of the Station of the Cross around the arena, etching, 1776.