Fort McHenry

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(By: Taylor and Aubrey Schultz)

Location:   2400 E Fort Ave, Baltimore, MD
Visiting Hours:   8:00am to 5:00pm
Cost:   $7 for 16 years old and up, otherwise, it's free
Website:   www.nps.gov/fomc
Phone:   (410) 962-4290

During the War of 1812 at the Battle of Baltimore (September 13th-14th, 1814), the valiant defense of Fort McHenry inspired Francis Scott Key to write The Star Spangled Banner.

Fort McHenry was constructed between 1799 and 1802. It was in the shape of a five-pointed star, which was a popular design during the period. Each point of the star was visible from the point on either side and every area of land surrounding the fort could be covered with as few as five men.

During the war of 1812, Francis Scott Key dined aboard the British ship HMS Tonnant, as the guest of three British officers. He was there to negotiate the release of prisoners. After one of the residents of Upper Marblo, Maryland had been captured by the British, Francis Scott Key was not allowed to return to his own sloop (sailboat). Key had become familiar with the strength and position of the British units and with the British intent to attack Baltimore. As a result of this, Key was unable to do anything but watch the bombarding of the American forces at Fort McHenry during the Battle of Baltimore. When the smoke cleared, Key was able to see an American flag still waving and reported this to the prisoners below deck. On the way back to Baltimore, he was inspired to write a poem describing his experience, "Defence of Fort McHenry", which he published in the Patriot on September 20, 1814. He fit it to the rhythms of composer John Stafford Smith's "To Anacreon in Heaven." It has become better known as "The Star Spangled Banner". Under this name, the song was adopted as the American National Anthem, first by an Executive Order from President Woodrow Wilson in 1916, and then by a Congressional resolution in 1931, signed by President Herbert Hoover.

For 200 years Fort McHenry has guarded the American flag in war and peace. Today, the professional fields of research, archeology, architecture and interpretation continue to provide new tools for the National Park Service to develop productive resource management guidelines to help preserve this special place. Nearly 600,000 people visit Fort McHenry annually.