What Happened
As British forces bombarded Fort McHenry, Francis Scott Key saw the American flag still flying after the attack. His poem, first known as 'Defence of Fort M'Henry,' became a patriotic song and eventually the national anthem.
Why It Matters
The event gave Americans one of the country's most recognizable symbols: a flag surviving through crisis.
Worth Knowing
The Star-Spangled Banner became the official national anthem in 1931.
Where It Fits in the America 250 Book
This story appears in Chapter 2, Pages 33-34, as part of the 160-page landscape collector edition. The book expands timeline moments like this with archival imagery, maps, concise narrative context, and feature spreads designed for browsing and display.
Related Search Topics
War of 1812 timelineFort McHenryStar-Spangled Banner history