We have a board book that explains the origins of the Star Spangled Banner. It's on our main level where we generally hang out, so I read it to our son fairly regularly. The book came from the little store at Fort McHenry, in Baltimore, the one time we've visited in 2018. It's jogging my memory on the interesting tidbits I learned there.
Since the fort is in Baltimore, it's only about 45 minutes away and would be an easy trip if we wanted to go back (probably with visitors - if, you know, that's ever possible again). It's definitely worth seeing. There's a little exhibit with a video explaining the War of 1812, the battle at Fort McHenry, and the writing of the anthem by Francis Scott Key. Key, by the way, was born and is buried in Frederick and his name appears all over the place here.
Here's some background. The war was part of the larger Napoleonic Wars. Early on, the United States invaded parts of Canada. In 1814 Britain fought back and invaded the mid-Atlantic, relying heavily on naval superiority. This resulted in the Burning of Washington, including the White House. The British also wanted the port of Baltimore. To do that they needed to take Fort McHenry, at a strategic spot on the river near the Inner Harbor. British troops marched overland expecting naval artillery support.
We learned at Fort McHenry that the British never actually tried to assault the fort directly with troops. Their ships stayed beyond the range of the fort's cannons and started shelling in the morning, and continued all night long (Sept. 13-14, 1814). Even though they couldn't hit the ships, the defenders didn't stop returning fire. The next morning a massive American flag was raised for reveille. The British sailed off, the attack on Baltimore abandoned.
That night, Francis Scott Key had been on a ship in the river. A lawyer, he was attempting to free an American prisoner and had a tremendous view of the bombardment. Inspired by the flag in the morning, he penned a poem that would become the Star Spangled Banner.
If you do visit, make sure to do the big flag unfurling. We did it immediately following the video. The full size flag is huge at 30' by 42', taking quite a few people to hold it, and it's definitely a memorable experience. Since the flag is so big, they don't normally fly it within the fort unless it's a special occasion and not overly windy.
Mike Rowe visited as part of his short-lived show 'Somebody's Gotta Do It.' I wish this video kept going and showed them raise the flag, but it's still fun and shows inside the fort.
The fort itself is small. The various defensive structures and battlements were interesting. There's a lot of green space on the water overlooking downtown Baltimore and the surrounding area. You pay on entry which gets you into the exhibit and is needed to enter the enclosed fort. If you just want to walk around outside, you can do that for free.
What remains of the original star spangled banner flag rests at the Smithsonian American History museum on the Mall in DC. It's the first display in front of you if you walk in from the Mall. The flag itself is in a darkened room and no flash photography is allowed. What's noticeable is how short the flag has become. While held privately (before being given to the Smithsonian) many people took home sections of the flag as souvenirs. What a world.
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