Fort McHenry National Historic Site
Fort McHenry was a quick stop on our travels south, but it is a place that carries a powerful place in our nation’s history. It is here that one of the most recognizable symbols of our country was born: The Star-Spangled Banner.
During the Battle of Baltimore in September 1814, British forces launched a relentless bombardment on Fort McHenry in an effort to capture Baltimore Harbor. Through the night, the fort endured hours of shelling, yet it held its ground.
Watching from a nearby ship was Francis Scott Key, who had been detained by the British. As the smoke cleared in the early morning light, he saw the American flag still flying over the fort, a powerful sign that the defense had succeeded. That moment inspired him to write the poem that would later become our national anthem.
The fort dates back to the late 1700s and was later preserved as a national site. It was designated a National Monument in 1925 and managed by the National Park Service.
Here is a place where history, resilience and national identity come together, reminding us how a single moment can shape a country’s story.
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