Anthem's history stems from B'more

Did you know that Maryland can lay claim to one of the most famous lyricists in American history? Though he may be considered a sort of one-hit-wonder, this man's work has been performed by such diverse musicians as N'Sync, Faith Hill, Metallica, Whitney Houston and Jimi Hendrix. His music is played year after year and entire stadiums of people often sing along.

Stumped? The man is none other than Francis Scott Key, lawyer and author of "The Star-Spangled Banner." The writer of our national anthem was born in Maryland in 1780; he lived here and in Washington D.C. throughout his lifetime.

Years and years ago, during the War of 1812, Major George Armistead, commander of Fort McHenry, realized his stronghold was in danger of attack by the British, as it guarded the entrance to the Baltimore harbor. He asked Maryland native Mary Young Pickergill to make a huge flag to wave over the fort, identifying his position. Her creation, 30 by 42 feet, was visible from many miles away.

In 1814, the British captured Washington D.C. They headed to Baltimore, besieging Fort McHenry on September 13 into the night. Key had gone to Baltimore earlier that week under a flag of truce to rescue an elderly physician, Dr. William Beanes, who was being held on the British flagship, Tonnant. His efforts were successful, but because of the fighting, he could not safely return home. Thus, Key sat watching the battle rage at Fort McHenry.

Early the next morning, Key looked anxiously for a sign that the fort was still under American control. To his great relief, the stars and stripes were still flying high over Fort McHenry. Key was so moved by this sight that he immediately penned a couple verses on the back of an envelope. He later completed the lyrics in the Indian Queen Hotel in Baltimore.

The lyrics were printed in newspapers across the country on September 20. By October, they had been set to an old English tune and given their now famous title.

"The Star-Spangled Banner" remained one among many patriotic songs until an act of Congress made it the official national anthem on March 3, 1931.

The famous Stars and Stripes flag has flown continuously, since May 30, 1949, over Key's birthplace in Carroll County, Maryland. The original manuscript was eventually donated to the Maryland Historical Society and a copy of it is stored in the Library of Congress.

You can be proud that this September 14, the flag will be there, still waving "o'er the land of the free and the home of the brave."

(Source: http://www.usflag.org/francis.scott.key.html)