It all started in 1812, while America was at war with England. The war broke out after England wanted to stop American Trade with the French. The British had entered the Chesapeake Bay on August 19th, 1814. Then on the 24th, the British invaded and captured Washington. The next day after burning down the capital the British turned around the Chesapeake Bay. However the American forces were busy getting prepared for the assault on Baltimore, that they knew would come by both land and sea. Then back at fort McHenrey, the flag was born. They gave the job to a Mary Young Pickersgill, who made a 15 star flag that was 30 by 42 feet and cost $405.90. At 7 a.m. on the morning of September 13, 1814, the British bombardment began. Waiting in the predawn darkness, Key waited for the sight that would change history forever, the joyous sight of Gen. Armistead's great flag blowing in the breeze. When at last daylight came, the flag was still there. Then after being so incredibly inspired, Key began to write on the back of a letter he had in his pocket. Then while Sailing back to Baltimore he wrote more lines and at the Indian Queen Hotel he finished the poem. Judge J. H. Nicholson, took the poem to a printer and copies were made. The poem circulated around Baltimore under the title "Defence of Fort M'Henry". In October a Baltimore actor sang Key's new found "song" that had started out as a poem, in a public performance and called it "The Star-Spangled Banner". The song got Immediately popular, and remained just one of several patriotic airs until it was finally adopted as our national anthem on March 3, 1931.
It all started in 1812, while America was at war with England. The war broke out after England wanted to stop American Trade with the French. The British had entered the Chesapeake Bay on August 19th, 1814. Then on the 24th, the British invaded and captured Washington. The next day after burning down the capital the British turned around the Chesapeake Bay. However the American forces were busy getting prepared for the assault on Baltimore, that they knew would come by both land and sea. Then back at fort McHenrey, the flag was born. They gave the job to a Mary Young Pickersgill, who made a 15 star flag that was 30 by 42 feet and cost $405.90. At 7 a.m. on the morning of September 13, 1814, the British bombardment began. Waiting in the predawn darkness, Key waited for the sight that would change history forever, the joyous sight of Gen. Armistead's great flag blowing in the breeze. When at last daylight came, the flag was still there. Then after being so incredibly inspired, Key began to write on the back of a letter he had in his pocket. Then while Sailing back to Baltimore he wrote more lines and at the Indian Queen Hotel he finished the poem. Judge J. H. Nicholson, took the poem to a printer and copies were made. The poem circulated around Baltimore under the title "Defence of Fort M'Henry". In October a Baltimore actor sang Key's new found "song" that had started out as a poem, in a public performance and called it "The Star-Spangled Banner". The song got Immediately popular, and remained just one of several patriotic airs until it was finally adopted as our national anthem on March 3, 1931.