History of the United States National Anthem The Star-Spangled Banner

On September 14, 1814 a lawyer and amateur poet was inspired to scrawl out a poem on the back of a letter. This poem, titled "The Star-Spangled Banner", would later become the United States national anthem. What inspired this lawyer to write the most difficult to sing national anthem of all time?

The British captured Washington, D.C. during the War of 1812. After capturing Washington, D.C., the British started for Baltimore. In order to get to Baltimore, the British had to attack Fort McHenry. Early on September 13, 1814, the British began attacking Fort McHenry from their ships. The fort was defenseless, as its guns couldn't reach the ships. The British continued the assault throughout the day and into the night.

Francis Scott Key was a lawyer in Washington, D.C. during the 1800s. He had been sent to the British Navy to try to secure the release of a Maryland doctor who was being held prisoner on a British ship. Key managed to get the doctor released, but he couldn't leave the British ship until after the attack on Fort McHenry was over.

Off and on throughout the night, Francis Scott Key could hear the fort's guns. The British attack started to slow as morning approached. Had the British been successful? Francis Scott Key wondered. Key looked toward Fort McHenry through a telescope. He couldn't miss the American flag swaying on the flagpole. The flag was the huge garrison flag. It had been raised to replace the wet flag that had flown throughout the storm during the attack.

Exhilarated and inspired knowing that the fort hadn't been taken by the British, Key penned his future famous poem. After being able to leave the British ship, Key revised and finished his poem in a hotel. The poem was titled "Defence of Fort McHenry". After completing his patriotic poem, Key had it printed on handbills.