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Fort McHenry inspires visitors, artists as birthplace of ‘The Star-Spangled Banner’ | America 250
1814 Battle of Fort McHenry moved Francis Scott Key to write iconic anthem
BALTIMORE —
Fort McHenry in Baltimore, the birthplace of “The Star-Spangled Banner,” remains a source of inspiration for visitors and artists as America celebrates its 250th anniversary.
There’s a rich history at Fort McHenry of looking after the community, of defending that community.
The Battle of Fort McHenry on Sept. 13-14, 1814, moved Francis Scott Key to write the iconic anthem. Watching from the deck of an American truce ship, Key witnessed the British bombardment of the fort during the War of 1812.
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“He’s waiting with a great deal of anxiety, and what we see when we read ‘The Star-Spangled Banner’ is, essentially, he has written down his reaction to what he has witnessed,” said Shannon McLucas, a park ranger and spokeswoman at Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine.
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Key’s poem, originally titled “The Defense of Fort M’Henry,” was inspired by the bravery of around 1,000 men who defended the fort.
“What he is really writing about is that sense of community, and that’s what is inspirational to him because many of these men came out to protect the homes — not just their own — but the homes of strangers,” McLucas said.
The victory was marked by the raising of the U.S. flag, which had been sewn in Baltimore by flag-maker Mary Pickersgill and her team. Her former home, now the Star-Spangled Banner Flag House, preserves her legacy.
“We tell the story of a woman who had a major national impact, but yet for most people, they don’t know her name,” said Christopher Sniezek, executive director of the Star-Spangled Banner Flag House.
Video below: Baltimore artists draw inspiration from Fort McHenry
Dr. Schroeder Cherry and other artists draw inspiration from the same view Key had of Fort McHenry. Cherry is one of eight Maryland artists riding aboard the Pride of Baltimore II as part of a project commemorating America’s 250th anniversary.
“There’s nothing like an experience where you’re actually on a boat, on the water, and then hearing the story and talking about the story and hearing the cannon,” Cherry said.
Eight Maryland artists aboard the Pride of Baltimore II draw inspiration from the same view Francis Scott Key had of Fort McHenry.
Fort McHenry typically welcomes more than 300,000 visitors annually, and park officials expect even more this year as people reflect on the birthplace of “The Star-Spangled Banner.”
“There’s a rich history at Fort McHenry of looking after the community, of defending that community, of looking after each other, and all of these stories are what give meaning to the fabric that is flying over the fort,” McLucas said.
Video below: Pride of Baltimore II prepares for Sail 250 celebration
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