Francis Scott Key, an American lawyer, penned a poem which was
later set to music. In 1931 it become America’s national anthem,
“The Star-Spangled Banner.” The poem, originally titled “The
Defence of Fort M’Henry,” was written after Key saw the Maryland
fort being bombarded by the British during the War of 1812. Key
was inspired by the sight of a lone U.S. flag still flying over Fort
McHenry at daybreak. as reflected in the now-famous words of the
“Star-Spangled Banner”: “

Francis Scott Key (August 1, 1779 – January 11, 1843)