Francis Scott Key witnessed the bombardment from a ship in Baltimore harbor and expressed his gratitude and relief at the victory in a poem that became "The Star-Spangled Banner." Following the Battle ...

"The Star-Spangled Banner" started as a poem, called “The Defence of Fort McHenry.” It was written by Francis Scott Key in 1814 during the War of 1812. The stanzas recount the Battle of ...

The Star-Spangled Banner is ... ‘Defence of Fort M’Henry’ to the music. Key was inspired to write it after he saw the American flag flying above Fort McHenry after US forces fought off an attack by ...