History teacher update of the week!: 200 years ago today, a British squadron under the command of Admiral Sir Alexander Cochrane was 18 hours into their 25 hour bombardment of Ft. McHenry in Baltimore, Maryland. Eight miles behind this squadron an American sloop laid at anchor with a small group of Americans on board. Throughout the night this group, and one man in particular, anxiously paced the decks as they awaited the dawn and news of the battles outcome. Francis Scott Key, a prominent D.C. lawyer, took an envelope from his pocket and began recording his feelings of this anxious night in prose on the back of the envelope. As the battle raged on, the fires at Ft. McHenry, the incessant shell bursts, the occasional flash of lightning, and the glare of Congreve rockets reflected off the forts flag, confirming that the Americans were holding on through the grim fight. At 7:00 am on the morning of September 14, 1814, the British ceased the bombardment of the fort, weighed anchor, and sailed out of the harbor for the island of Jamaica. According to one British sailor, the Americans hoisted a splendid and superb ensign on their battery, and at the same time fired a gun of defiance as the British sailed away. As Mr. Key and his companions looked across the harbor they could see this splendid and superb ensign reflected gloriously by the dawns early light. Inspired by the sight, Mr. Key finished his poem as the group sailed home. He shared it with his brother and sister-in-law and then published it two days later. His poem, The Defence of Ft. McHenry, was eventually set to music and 117 years later, became the National Anthem of the United States of America. Happy 200th Birthday to the Star Spangled Banner. Here is one of my favorite versions!!!
Posted on: Sun, 14 Sep 2014 23:25:19 +0000
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