In Defense of Baltimore's Port, A National Anthem Was Born

During the War of 1812, Baltimore defended its greatest asset, the port/harbor, against the British Royal Navy. Fort McHenry, constructed in the form of a five pointed star at the tip of the Locust Point Peninsula, was bombarded by Royal Navy artillery on September 13th, 1814 at 6 AM. The Royal Navy's munitions outweighed the Americans in quantity and capability, but for twenty five hours the Americans protected the Port of Baltimore and held off the British insurgency.

It was a significant accomplishment in many regards, the Royal Navy was daunting and powerful. Secondly, just weeks before British military had burned, looted, and overtaken Washington D.C. It was clear the British were powerful if they were able to defeat the American forces protecting our capitol.

Not only did the British want to strike a demoralizing blow to the Americans by taking the Port of Baltimore, but they also believed the Baltimore port harbored and manufactured privateers. These were the ships that attacked and looted enemy ships during wartime, something the British Navy no longer wanted to tolerate.

The Royal Navy pounded Fort McHenry for twenty five straight hours, staying out of the reach of American cannons, but keeping the fort within the reach of their assault. More than 1,800 cannonballs were fired at Fort McHenry, but its people and structure remained strong. On the morning of September 14th, the tattered and beaten flag that flew during battle was replaced by a new American flag that flew in the faces of the British, letting them know that we stood against their best and were still standing.

The American Francis Scott Key witnessed the entire battle while captive on one of the Royal Navy ships. He later wrote the poem, "Defence of Fort McHenry" which became the lyrics to our National Anthem "The Star Spangled Banner."(Star-Spangled Banner and the War of 1812". Encyclopedia Smithsonian. http://www.si.edu/Encyclopedia_SI/nmah/starflag.htm. 2008-03-10.)