“The Star-Spangled Banner" is the national anthem of America. The lyrics come from
"Defense of Fort McHenry”, a poem written in 1814 by a 35 year old lawyer, Francis Scott Key (above), after witnessing the bombardment of Fort McHenry by British naval ships in
Chesapeake Bay during the Battle of Fort McHenry in the War of 1812. The actual flag that flew over Fort McHenry is also pictured above. The “Star-Spangled Banner" was made the national anthem by a congressional resolution and was signed by President Herbert Hoover.
Francis Scott Key is depicted reaching out to the “Star-Spangled Banner”
Original copy of Key’s poem, on display at the Maryland Historical Society
