The Story Behind the Song
“On a rainy September 13, 1814, British warships sent a downpour of shells and rockets onto Fort McHenry in Baltimore Harbor, relentlessly pounding the American fort for 25 hours. The bombardment, known as the Battle of Baltimore, came only weeks after the British had attacked Washington, D.C., burning the Capitol, the Treasury and the President’s house. It was another chapter in the ongoing War of 1812.” Smithson.com
For a week prior to the battle--after 35-year-old American lawyer Francis Scott Key had successfully negotiated the release of his friend held by the British--his ship was detained until the Battle of Baltimore was over.
Key watched from the deck of his ship, convinced the British would win with their superior fire power. Once night fell, all he could see were the continuous red flashes over the fort. Early the next morning, as the haze of battle cleared, he was amazed to see the American flag with its 15 stars and stripes flying over Fort McHenry.
Key put his memorable experience into words, ironically set them to the notes of a British tune, and two weeks later it appeared in newspapers across America, taking the country by storm.
(To read more about the flag that inspired the song, its history and its preservation, click here to go to the Smithsonian site. )
“On a rainy September 13, 1814, British warships sent a downpour of shells and rockets onto Fort McHenry in Baltimore Harbor, relentlessly pounding the American fort for 25 hours. The bombardment, known as the Battle of Baltimore, came only weeks after the British had attacked Washington, D.C., burning the Capitol, the Treasury and the President’s house. It was another chapter in the ongoing War of 1812.” Smithson.com
For a week prior to the battle--after 35-year-old American lawyer Francis Scott Key had successfully negotiated the release of his friend held by the British--his ship was detained until the Battle of Baltimore was over.
Key watched from the deck of his ship, convinced the British would win with their superior fire power. Once night fell, all he could see were the continuous red flashes over the fort. Early the next morning, as the haze of battle cleared, he was amazed to see the American flag with its 15 stars and stripes flying over Fort McHenry.
Key put his memorable experience into words, ironically set them to the notes of a British tune, and two weeks later it appeared in newspapers across America, taking the country by storm.
(To read more about the flag that inspired the song, its history and its preservation, click here to go to the Smithsonian site. )
Who sewed the flag now known as the Star-Spangled Banner?
- Betsy Ross
- A team of women President Madison hired
- Mary Pickersgill with her daughter, two nieces, and an indentured servant
The Star Spangled Banner sang by Jennifer Hudson: https://youtu.be/m0_mFru-9ds
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