The Star-Spangled Banner

We are fast approaching the 200th anniversary of the Star-Spangled Banner, penned by Francis Scott Key near the end of the Battle of Fort McHenry (September 12-14, 1814) during the War of 1812. We all know the stirring story -- on the morning after the battle, Key was so inspired by the sight of the American flag still flying over the Fort that he wrote the first few lines of the poem that would eventually become our national anthem.

The original flag that flew over Fort McHenry is housed in the Smithsonian Institution National Museum of American History.  Here are both the flag and Key's original manuscript of the poem The Star- Spangled Banner:

Here are just a few of the books that you can check out to find more information:

 

Francis Scott Key:  Poet and Patriot by Lillie Patterson

The Star-Spangled Banner by Catherine A. Welch

Posted by Sue Ann.