The story of "The Star-Spangled Banner" is well-known. During the War of 1812, British ships were bombarding Fort McHenry
near Baltimore. A man named Francis Scott Key was inspired
by the flag that waved over the fort the morning after they were
attacked. Reportedly, the flag was of legendary dimensions.
At 30 by 42 feet, the flag's original size would have covered a
quarter of a modern basketball court. It was 90 feet above the
ground and could be seen from miles away. Francis Scott Key
was, in fact, eight miles downriver when the flag inspired him to
write the poem that would become our national anthem.
18. The flag had great
handiwork.
illustrators.
competition.
visibility