Fort McHenry is a must-visit when in Baltimore. In Britain, most people are unaware that in 1812-14, we were at war with the US. I guess that, as we were tied up with the Napoleonic War, the battle with the Americans was something of a sideshow that has largely fallen out of our collective memory. Not so in the USA. The war was a significant part of US history. Events from the war are commemorated and sites are venerated. This is especially so with Fort McHenry. In September 1814, the fort successfully defended itself against the Royal Navy. After the battle, the US flag was seen flying over the fort. This inspired Francis Scott Key to write the words to The Star-Spangled Banner.
No comments:
Post a Comment