The War of 1812

The Star Spangled Banner

Martina visits the Smithsonian's National Museum of History and Technology to view the flag that inspired the Star Spangled Banner

Lawyer Francis Scott Key spent the night of September 13, 1814, aboard a ship in the Chesapeake Bay. He was close enough to observe the fight for Fort McHenry in Baltimore, Maryland, but far enough away to be out of harm’s way. He watched the fighting all night, hoping for a sign that America had achieved victory. Early the next morning, when he saw the United States flag raised over Fort McHenry, he knew that the young nation was victorious over the British. He was inspired to write the poem that would later serve as the lyrics to America’s national anthem.