On September 14, 1814, Francis Scott Key penned a poem which
was later set to music and in 1931 became America’s national
anthem, “The Star-Spangled Banner.”

The poem, originally titled “The Defence of Fort M’Henry,” was
written after Key witnessed 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”: “And the rocket’s red glare, the
bombs bursting in air, Gave proof through the night that our flag
was still there.”

Francis Scott Key (1779 – 1843)