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1812: Trial by Fire ... the War of 1812:
"Baltimore ... the one great American port over which no enemy flag has ever waved."
-- President Warren G. Harding, June 14, 1922
The newly-constructed fort in Baltimore received its severest test during the War of 1812.
Although the conflict began with a series of American invasions into Canada, the arrival of a British squadron in the Chesapeake Bay a year later resulted in hurried improvements to Fort McHenry. New artillery positions, additional cannon, and outer work such as the Ravelin, bolstered the fort's material defenses.
Preparations included the making of a large 30 x 42-foot American flag. In addition to defying the British, the large flag raised the morale and confidence of the defenders of the fort and the city. The British attacked on September 13, 1814. Following a bombardment lasting over 25 hours, the huge American flag signaled that the garrison held against great odds.
In one day, the fort proved its value in safeguarding the city and became a national symbol as the birthplace of Francis Scott Key's song: "The Star-Spangled Banner." |