Before 1931, other songs served as the hymns of U.S. officialdom. "Hail, Columbia" served this purpose at official functions for most of the 19th century. "My Country, 'Tis of Thee", whose melody is identical to "God Save the King", the United Kingdom's national anthem, also served as a de facto national anthem. Following the War of 1812 and subsequent U.S. wars, other songs emerged to compete for popularity at public events, among them "America the Beautiful", which itself was being considered before 1931 as a candidate to become the national anthem of the United States.
before 1931 other songs served as the hymns of us officialdom "hail columbia" served this purpose at official functions for most of the 19th century "my country 'tis of thee" whose melody is identical to "god save the king" the united kingdom's national anthem also served as a de facto national anthem following the war of 1812 and subsequent us wars other songs emerged to compete for popularity at public events among them "america the beautiful" which itself was being considered before 1931 as a candidate to become the national anthem of the united states