Fort McHenry was made famous on September 13, 1814 when the British attempted to capture the fort by sea and enter Baltimore Harbor. Having recently invaded and burned Washington DC, they felt that this would be a sinch. Never underestimate Baldeemore dare Hon!
A young American lawyer was being held on one of the British ships, as they pounded the fort all night long. He wrote a poem about what he was witnessing. By the dawns early light, the smoke had cleared and although battered and torn, that star spangled banner yet waved. That young lawyer was Francis Scott Key. The poem that he wrote would later be set to music and become our National Anthem.
The Fort would later be honored as a National Monument and Historic Shrine. It is the only such doubly designated place in the Nation.
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