Francis Scott Key - And Where Is That Band

11/11/2025

Thank you!

3 verses from Francis Scott Key's 1805 "Song" plus the 4th verse of The Star-Spangled Banner, both to 19th century arrangements.

09/28/2025

09/22/2025

Enjoyed the Heritage Festival. Looking forward to the Walk Back In Time

09/21/2025

A fine day at the Heritage Festival.

09/20/2025

I’ll be at the Columbia Heritage Festival all weekend. New this year: I have performances at my tent at 1:00 and 2:30. Hope to see you there!

09/17/2025

See you there!

09/14/2025

in 1814, after a 25-hour bombardment, the smoke cleared over Fort McHenry, and the fort was still held by the Americans.

Just before 9:00 a.m., Major Armistead ordered the storm flag taken down. The same flag that Francis Scott Key had seen “at the twilight’s last gleaming" now hanging limp and heavy from rain. Following army regulations, at 9:00 a.m. Armistead ordered the garrison flag raised. The garrison’s fife and drums, joined by the musicians of the Maryland militia, played the national air “Yankee Doodle” while the large wool 30’ x 42’ garrison flag was hoisted.

The Star-Spangled Banner flew high as a symbol of courage, resilience, and strength. Baltimore had faced the strongest navy in the world and refused to yield.

Today, at Fort McHenry National Monument & Historic Shrine, we celebrate that spirit and honor the events that led Key to write the national anthem. Walk the grounds where history was made, hear the stories of ordinary people rising to extraordinary challenges, and see how a city and its defenders came together to protect freedom.

Learn more: https://go.nps.gov/BattleOfBaltimore

📸 NPS/Tim Ervin
Image: Sunlight shines through a replica garrison flag flying over the sallyport of Fort McHenry.

09/14/2025

Happy 211th Birthday, Star-Spangled Banner!

09/14/2025

in 1814 the Battle of Baltimore at Fort McHenry erupted 💥

Standing between the British Navy and the City of Baltimore were the defenses of Fort McHenry and its 1,000 American defenders. The British Navy rained down over 1,500 rockets and mortar rounds on Fort McHenry for 25 hours, making it one of the longest bombardments in North American history. Smoke, thunder, and fire filled the harbor, but Baltimore’s defenders held strong.

That is why today we are celebrating Defenders’ Day! Come experience Fort McHenry as history comes alive:
⚔️ Living history demonstrations of soldiers and citizens defending the city
🎶 Music, drills, and activities for the whole family
🎆 Fireworks over the harbor starting at 8:05 p.m.

Come stand with us where courage met cannon fire. See how a city and its defenders faced the strongest navy in the world and refused to yield.

Full schedule: https://go.nps.gov/DefendersDay

📸 NPS
Image: Aerial of Fort McHenry, c1814. Artist's conception of the dawn bombardment of Fort McHenry by the British Navy under the command of Vice Admiral Alexander Cochrane on September 13, 1814.

09/09/2025

Sept. 2, 1814 - Francis Scott Key writes to his father: "I cannot go [to Frederick] yet, as I have to make a journey to the Fleet to try to get Dr. Beanes released from the Enemy - I hope I may succeed but think it very doubtful."

Key was referring to Dr. William Beanes. Beanes, an Upper Marlboro resident, was taken prisoner by the British for arresting British looters. While helping to negotiate the doctor's release, Key witnessed the Fort McHenry bombardment and penned lyrics for the "Star-Spangled Banner."

[image: black and white wood engraving of Francis Scott Key; Library of Congress]


Fort McHenry National Monument & Historic Shrine