Among all American traditions and sources of national identity, few are more identifiable than the national anthem. A part of everyday life for most Americans, the Star Spangled banner is played at most sporting events and many other forms of gatherings. There is a great bit of emotion and meaning tied up in the words of the song alone. But what is the story behind the words? Where was this proud tradition originally inspired? As it turns out, the iconic anthem was inspired by the events that took place during the bombardment of Fort McHenry during the war of 1812.

Following the Battle of Washington DC, during which British troops successfully looted the city and burnt the white house to the ground, a British fleet sailed towards the American held Baltimore harbor. By the 13th of September, the impressive British fleet of 19 warships stood at the gate of the city. The soldiers and militiamen manning Fort McHenry stared across the harbor, knowing that they were all that stood between the British and the city.

A view overlooking a rampart facing the harbor approximately where the British fleet would have been. The cannons seen in the photo would not have been used during the war as they were added to the fort years after the wars end.

Around this time, American lawyer Francis Scott Key, along with other negotiators, were transported into the harbor to meet with British commanders and discuss a prisoner exchange. As the day progressed, Key was told that he would be allowed to return to shore the following morning, but he would have to spend the night on the ship. When key asked why he was told that the fleet would be orchestrating a massive bombardment of Fort McHenry that evening and that the commanders expected a white flag to be flying above the fort just a few hours into the bombardment. Since returning to shore would be too risky for both Key and to British intelligence, he would have to spend the night on the ship, watching the battle unfold.

That night on the 13th of September 1814, the British fleet began to unleash a ferocious attack upon Fort McHenry. Before this began the American soldiers raised a massive 30 x 42 foot flag over the fort, a symbol of pride and defiance to the British fleet. Key watched throughout the night as the fort was battered by relentless artillery fire, catching glimpses of what he only hoped was not the flag of surrender. As the sun began to rise Key was astonished to see that the Star Spangled banner remained triumphantly flying over fort McHenry. Key was so inspired by what he had witnessed that he wrote down a poem which would go on to become the national anthem and a symbol of national pride for the US.

The flag seen flying here is a much smaller replica of the flag that flew over the Battle of Baltimore. The full size replica can only be flown in mild wind conditions. The original flag is currently on display in a Smithsonian Museum in Washington DC.

The site of Fort McHenry today is maintained as an excellent museum. When visitors arrive at the fort, they enter a visitor center just down the hill from the site. Guests are offered the chance to watch a short video explaining the history of the Battle of Baltimore and of the writing of the national anthem. After an inspiring video the national anthem begins to play as the video shows a view of the fort with the banner flying high. As the view settles to the perspective from which you would be looking at the fort, the screen lifts to reveal a window showing the actual fort flying the actual banner. Everyone stands and observes a particularly inspiring listening of the national anthem, imagining the sacrifices and determination of those that have made America great. Following this experience visitors are able to look around the fort and walk where the patriots of the past made their triumphant stand that has inspired a nation.

A powder magazine beneath the fort.
Atop a rampart on the Western side of the fort.

All photos taken by author