Maryland
Fort McHenry National Monument & Historic Shrine - History
By Sarah Lane
Jan 26, 2005, 11:44

Fort McHenry National Monument & Historic Shrine


The defense of Fort McHenry inspired Francis Scott Key to write the now infamous “Star Spangled Banner.” During the Battle of Baltimore from September 13-14, 1814, over 1,000 Americans stopped the British advance on Baltimore. This in turn helped to preserve the United States of America. After this battle during the War of 1812, the Fort would never see another attack. It was, however, a sporadically active military post for the next 100 years.

It wasn’t until 1933 that Fort McHenry became a part of the National Park Service. That was two years after Key’s poem became this America’s National Anthem. Fort McHenry is the only area designated both as a National Monument and a Historic Shrine.

For an excellent set of resources on Fort McHenry for the classroom, click here.

Source: NPS, Dept. of the Interior