On January 27, 1991, Whitney Houston performed the U.S. National Anthem at Super Bowl XXV in Tampa, Florida. The event took place during the Gulf War, with heightened national tensions and widespread public attention on American service members overseas. Houston, already an established pop and R&B star, delivered a polished, emotive version of “The Star-Spangled Banner” that was broadcast live to millions of viewers in the United States and abroad. The performance is noted for its clear diction, controlled vocal power, and a respectful, reverent tone that emphasized unity. Musically, Houston’s rendition stayed largely faithful to the anthem’s melody while adding subtle contemporary phrasing and dynamic swells that showcased her vocal range. The arrangement was orchestral and supportive rather than theatrical; the emphasis in contemporary accounts and subsequent retrospectives is on the dignity and emotional resonance of the moment rather than on vocal acrobatics. Context shaped the public reception. The United States had recently launched military operations in the Persian Gulf, and patriotic displays were prominent across media and public life. Houston’s performance was widely perceived as both an artistic achievement and a symbolic act of national solidarity. Networks replayed the performance in news coverage, and it became closely associated in the public memory with the Gulf War era’s patriotic sentiment. The recording of the performance was later issued commercially and has been included on various compilations and broadcasts, contributing to its longevity in the cultural record. Over the years, music journalists, historians, and broadcast commentators have frequently cited Houston’s Super Bowl anthem as one of the most memorable and definitive televised renditions, often noting its technical precision and emotional timing. Critical assessments emphasize that part of the performance’s lasting impact derives from the combination of Houston’s vocal skill, the national moment, and the platform of the Super Bowl—the most-watched single-night television event in the U.S. Critics and commentators have contrasted Houston’s rendition with other high-profile anthem performances, noting differences in style, interpretive choices, and public reaction. It is important to avoid overstating claims: while Houston’s Super Bowl performance is widely celebrated and often described as among the most famous or best-known renditions of the anthem in late 20th-century U.S. popular culture, assessments of “the most famous” can be subjective and depend on criteria such as audience reach, cultural impact, or critical appraisal. Sources that discuss the performance include contemporaneous news coverage, subsequent music journalism, and retrospectives about Houston’s career and cultural legacy. In sum, Whitney Houston’s January 27, 1991, Super Bowl performance of the National Anthem stands as a significant cultural moment—valued for its vocal clarity, emotional resonance, and alignment with a charged historical moment—while recognition of its status relative to other famous performances involves subjective judgment.