In spite of their different motivations for serving, all of the men had one thing in common the protection of Baltimore from destruction. Key was inspired by the sight of a lone U.S. flag still flying over Fort McHenry at daybreak, as reflected in the now-famous words of the "Star-Spangled Banner": "And the rocket's red . The flag currently has only fourteen starsthe fifteenth star was similarly given as a gift, but its recipient and current whereabouts are unknown.[7]. During the night, Cochrane orders a landing party to slip past the fort and attempt to draw troops from the force opposing Brooke, but other than diverting some fire from the fort, this proves unsuccessful. Sign up for our quarterly email series highlighting the environmental benefits of battlefield preservation. [11][12], Pickersgill made the flag with assistance from her daughter, two nieces, and an African American indentured servant, Grace Wisher.[13]. In January of 1862, Brig. A week earlier, Francis Scott Key, a 35-year-old American lawyer, had boarded the flagship of the British fleet on the Chesapeake Bay in hopes of persuading the British to release a friend who had recently been arrested. March 1, 2007 A conservator works on the Star-Spangled Banner in 1914. [2], With fifteen stripes, the Star-Spangled Banner remains the only official American flag to bear more than thirteen stripes.[3]. Started in 1996, the Star-Spangled Banner preservation projectwhich includes the flag's conservation and the creation of its new display in the renovated museumwas planned with the help of historians, conservators, curators, engineers and organic scientists. The ship carried Colonel John S. Skinner, U.S. State Department prisoner exchange agent, and 35-year-old Georgetown attorney Francis Scott Key. Those marks tell the flag's story.". 2023 Smithsonian Magazine We use Mailchimp as our marketing platform. But when he sees the large flag flying over the fort on the morning of September 14, he knows the fort held. The narrator refers to Fort Henry, which did not exist. Learn more about Mailchimp's privacy practices here. Now, as preparations for a British attack proceeded, the three-story-tall flag waved atop the 90-foot flagpole at Fort McHenry, its bold red, white and blue geometry unmistakable. This is made up. There were more than 15 states when the flag was made, but there are only 15 stars on the flag. Duke closely covered domestic terrorism cases for CNN, including the Oklahoma City federal building bombing, the UNABOMBER and search for Southeast bomber Eric Robert Rudolph. The prayer 'God, keep that flag flying where we last saw it.'. By clicking below to subscribe, you acknowledge that your information will be transferred to Mailchimp for processing. Francis Scott Key said he remembered what George Washington had said. Because of this conflict and the protractedness of it, they had accumulated prisoners on both sides. Victoria "Tory" Altman is an Education Specialist in the Office of Education Outreach. These are some typical questions people have about customs and rules surrounding African American History Curatorial Collective, the flag's most recent conservation check-up, why the national anthem is so hard to sing, a nationwide sing of the national anthem on Flag Day (June 14, 2014), When lightning strikes: The making and meaning of a patriotic symbol, Rene Fleming's Super Bowl gown: A curatorial jackpot, Pointers from the Flag Code, just in time for Flag Day. With the recent completion of the project, the Star-Spangled Banner will remain an icon of American history that can still be seen by the public. (Man's voice) There was a lawyer once, his name was Francis Scott Key. From Baltimore's Federal Hill the fleet of more than 40 British vessels was visible at anchor off North Point. Francis Scott Key, jubilant with the fact that he had been successful, went down below in the boats and what he found was a cargo hold full of humanity, men. They said 'We want to send a man out to discuss this with you.' Stay up-to-date on the American Battlefield Trust's battlefield preservation efforts, travel tips, upcoming events, history content and more. There were about 28 American casualties. It was simply raised according to the 1808 U.S. He (the British admiral) said 'Don't worry about it.' The British set sail for New Orleans. Please read this story before you angrily message this writer with accusations he is anti-American. More broadly, a garrison flag is a U.S. Army term for an extra-large national flag that is flown on Sundays, holidays, and special occasions. [28], In 1877, the flag was exhibited at the Old South Church in Boston for the nation's first Flag Day celebration. [34][35] In 1912, Appleton formally donated it to the Smithsonian. As the sloop tossed in violent waves, Key could only see the red glare of the enemys rockets and the sound of bombs bursting in air. He thought it unlikely that the Americans could hold out against such a volley of gunfire. The Maryland militia commander, Maj. Gen. Samuel Smith, orders Brig. Despite attempts to fire back, the British ships were just out of range of the Fort's cannons, and so by 11:00 a.m., General Armistead gave orders to slow things down to save ammunition. Also, there were no "hundreds" of ships in the river attacking the fort. They carried with them. American Lawyer Francis Scott Key, held on a British warshipfor a prisoner negotiation during the frightening siege, feared that the fort had succumbed to the bombardment. In 1814, the United States flag had 15 stars and 15 stripes. If you want to know the true and remarkable history of the origins of the American national anthem, we suggest you click here for the Smithsonian magazine account or here for another account of the battle of Fort McHenry. The same family that kept the Star-Spangled Banner safe during the Civil War also sympathized with the Confederacy. This is what it looks like on social media: The true story of the Star Spangled Banner is inspiring, as it was written after a key battle near the end of the War of 1812. Everything was made ready at Fort McHenry to defend Baltimore. MD "I was taking part in a special National Park Service maintenance training program," says Boyd. In 1814, the United States flag had 15 stars and 15 stripes. Baltimore, Initially, the British strategy during the War of 1812 had been defensive. Volunteers dug huge entrenchments east of town, and the city militia drilled regularly. [23], In 1873, Appleton lent the flag to George Henry Preble, a naval officer who had written a popular history of the American flag. According to the Smithsonian Archives, this October 1944 photograph shows: "The headquarters area of the United States National Museum storage facilityin Luray, Virginia, near Shenandoah National Park." Accordingly, he launched a late evening diversionary barge attack on the western shore, the backdoor of the American land defenses. Having worked on historic flags for the United States Naval Academy, Fowler had patented a method of supporting fragile flags with a linen backing that required a honeycomb pattern of stitches. The Confederate Army eventually adopted the Confederate battle flag in order to avoid potentially lethal confusion. The star-spangled banner may not have been run up the flagpole until first light on September 14. Baltimore privateers were responsible for as much as one-third of all captured British vessels during the war. It is for Colonel Brooke to consider under such circumstances whether he has Force sufficient to defeat so large a number as it [is] saidthe Enemy has collected; say 20,000 strong. The video implies this was during the American Revolution, which began in 1775 (although some argue the first battle was fought in October 1774) and officially ended with the signing of the Treaty of Paris on September 3, 1783. Whether or not Francis Scott Key actually visited Fort McHenry that day, he would have not seen a stack of "patriots' bodies" holding the flag pole upright. Coming in at 17 x 25 feet, this storm flag was much smaller and was designed to withstand tough weather, such as the raging winds and pouring rain that occurred during the Battle of Baltimore. The British naval arc stretched across the Patapsco two miles below Fort McHenry, keeping distance from the forts powerful 36-pounder French naval shore batteries. A storm still raged around Baltimore as the most tremendous cannonade of the battle took place. [25][26] He then put the flag on display at the headquarters of the New England Historic Genealogical Society for several weeks. Five years later, he made the gift permanent, saying he wanted it to belong "to the Institution in the country where it could be conveniently seen by the public and where it would be well cared for.". Most people assume that this grand banner flew through the rockets red glare.. It was populated by 1,000 American troops who were armed with dozens of cannons and thousands of pounds of gunpowder. Whether or not Francis Scott Key actually visited Fort McHenry that day, he would have not seen a stack of "patriots' bodies" holding the flag pole upright. The stars are arranged in vertical rows, with five horizontal rows of stars, offset, each containing three stars. Bodies of the dead were not used to hold up the flag pole a 42 by 30 foot flag has to be on a well-anchored pole, not held up by a few dead bodies stacked around it. The flag originally measured 30 by 42 feet (9.1 by 12.8m) and weighed about 50 pounds (23kg). Subscribe to the American Battlefield Trust's quarterly email series of curated stories for the curious-minded sort! When markings on the flag were investigated and analyzed, they were found to be from iron corrosion. O Say Can You See: The Bombardment of Fort McHenry. Chafingat the need to coordinate with an officer so junior to his rank, all Cochrane could do was reiterate his assessment and make his disapproval known, hoping that it would sway Brooke. "Louisa wanted Georgiana to have it.". Visitors are allowed a clear view of the flag, while it remains protected in a controlled environment. On land, defensive positions were established along North Point to prevent British troops from advancing. They allowed the Americans to return to their own vessel but continued guarding them. The New York Herald Tribune wrote that the song had words that nobody can remember to a tune nobody can sing.. The British attack on Baltimore had began in earnest. How long did the star-spangled banner wave? Every purchase supports the mission. The 1,000 Americans at Fort McHenry are commanded by Maj.George Armistead. The imposing Fort McHenry, at the mouth of the inner harbor, provided the linchpin for the American defenses. This could have resulted from metal buckles or straps or tacks on belts used to hold the flag. Made in Baltimore, Maryland, in July-August 1813 by flagmaker Mary Pickersgill. It was, of course, the huge American flag that flew over Baltimore's Fort McHenry on a hot summer night in 1814. As twilight began to fall and as the haze hung over the ocean as it does at sunset, suddenly, the British war fleet unleashed. How it ended United States victory. Since there were no groups of American soldiers in the cargo hold, there was no such conversation between Key and the prisoners. These flags can be gifted through . 15-star flag above Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine, Baltimore, Md. 100 Years at the Smithsonian, After Georgiana's death, the flag passed to Eben Appleton, Armistead's grandson, who loaned it to the city of Baltimore for the 1880 sesquicentennial celebration. "We're aware of at least a dozen more that exist in other museums and private collections," says Kendrick. Bonus fact in response to a question from the comments: The Star-Spangled Banner flag does not have burn marks on it. But the Star-Spangled Banner is more than an artifactit's also a national symbol. But just what did that flag, that for and those defenders endure?. With the help of ten needlewomen, Fowler spent eight weeks on the flag, receiving $1,243 for the materials and work. In fact, the number of stars on the flag actually grew during the war from 34 to 36. They appeared over time as the iron particles corroded. The bombardment turned to Fort McHenry on the morning of September 13, and continuous shelling occurred for 25 hours under heavy rain. The British plan to land troops on the eastern side of the city while the navy reduces the fort, allowing for naval support of the ground troops when they attack the citys defenders. Over the next six weeks, Mary, her daughter, three of Mary's nieces, a 13-year-old indentured servant and possibly Mary's mother Rebecca Young worked 10-hour days sewing the flag, using 300 yards of English wool bunting. The colonies were engaged in vicious conflict with the mother country, Britain. [27] It was then kept in the Society's vault until 1876, when it was taken to the vault of the Historical Society of Pennsylvania. He withdrew without firing a shot, but outlined a proposalfor two flanking night assaults on the vulnerable American right flank, while a third column would make a feint on the American left after midnight on September 14. Under their scrutiny, Key watched on September 13 as the barrage of Fort McHenry began eight miles away. This British defeat was a turning point in the War of 1812, leading both sides to reach a peace agreement later that year. Although states seceded from the Union and joined the Confederate States of America, the U.S. flag remained unchanged. (Image:93-13286-2 and SIA2008-2449.). The harbors 122 American privateering vessels would ultimately cause some 16 million dollars of damage to the enemy. Now, here are the most obvious ways this video is filled with fake history: Francis Scott Key was a lawyer in Baltimore. "The Star-Spangled Banner is a symbol of American history that ranks with the Statue of Liberty and the Charters of Freedom," says Brent D. Glass, the museum's director. Major General Robert Ross was sent to command all British forces on the East Coast of the United States, with Vice Admiral Alexander Cochrane leading a fleet of warships. https://leadstories.com/hoax-alert/2019/04/fake-news-our-national-anthem-video-not-true-story-of-star-spangled-banner.html, Fake News: Nancy Pelosi Did NOT Have 150-Year-Old Sign Removed From House Chamber Entrance, Fake News: Ocasio-Cortez and Ilhan Omar DID NOT Praise the Destruction of Notre Dame. This included scientific studies with infrared spectrometry, electron microscopy, mechanical testing, and determination of amino acid content by a New Zealand scientist, and infrared imaging by a NASA scientist. Get the latest History stories in your inbox? Its message was clear: The British threat had passed, and Baltimore was saved. How and when this occurred is unclear. Our FREE Virtual Teacher Institute is the can't miss online educator event of the summer. Key took quarters for the night at the Indian Queen Hotel, bringing with him the rough draft of a poem he had composed during his ordeal. Washington, D.C. Email powered by MailChimp (Privacy Policy & Terms of Use), The Star-Spangled Banner, the flag that inspired our national anthem, A View of the Bombardment of Fort McHenry. Armistead soon hired a 29-year-old widow and professional flagmaker, Mary Young Pickersgill of Baltimore, Maryland, to make a garrison flag measuring 30 by 42 feet with 15 stars and 15 stripes (each star and stripe representing a state). Prepared to take . At dawn on June 14, 1846, a ragtag group of about 30 gun-toting Americans entered Sonoma, a small town in the Mexican territory of Alta California. He had witnessed Britain's twenty-five hour bombardment of the Fort, and for Key, the raising of the American flag was a triumphant symbol of bravery and perseverance. inaccurate stories, videos or images going viral on the internet. The Majority of our funds go directly to Preservation and Education. May God bless America on our Independence Day!" All that he (Key) could hear was the men down below praying. President Abraham Lincoln maintained that those states never really left the nation but were merely in rebellion. For the next 50 years, with the exception of a brief move during World War II, the Star-Spangled Banner was displayed in what is now the Arts and Industries Building. 15-star flag above Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine, Baltimore, Md. And he said 'Men, I've got news for you tonight. This response would not reach ColonelBrooke until noon, when he had advanced within two miles east of the American lines while he and Cockburn surveyed the American lines. He said 'Hundreds." American forces resistedthe dramaticBritish bombardmentof Fort McHenry and proved they could stand up to a great world power. In the early morning ofSeptember 13, British warships begin their bombardment. In February 1815, the storm flag was lost to history after being replaced by a new one from the Schuylkill Arsenal in Philadelphia. It evokes powerful emotions and ideas about what it means to be an American. Among the 20 low-draft vessels, primarily frigates and schooners, of the British squadron, five were particularly ominous. Fifteen stars and fifteen stripes (one star has been cut out) Raised over Fort . The American colonies had prisoners and the British had prisoners and the American government initiated a move, they went to the British and they said 'Let us negotiate for the release of these prisoners.' It was eventually retitled The Star-Spangled Banner. The composition was sung at patriotic gatherings and political events for more than a century before President Herbert Hoover proclaimed it the national anthem of the United States in 1931. [53] The framed remnant came with a faded, hand-written note attesting it was "A piece of the Flag which floated over Fort McHenry at the time of the bombardment when Key's (sic) composed the Song of the Star Spangled Banner, presented by Sam Beth Cohen. A Brief History of Steamboat Racing in the U.S. Texas-Born Italian Noble Evicted From Her 16th-Century Villa. Bodies of the dead were not used to hold up the flag pole a 42 by 30 foot flag has to be on a well-anchored pole, not held up by a few dead bodies stacked around it. Is Northern capitalized? The bombardment began at sunrise, not sunset, and continued for 27 hours. It is a made-up quote, according to scholars at Washington's presidential library. The flag that flew during that episode in history became a significant artifact. It has fifteen horizontal red and white stripes, as well as fifteen white stars in the blue field. Print by J. Bower, Philadelphia, 1816. But by 9:30 a.m., Admiral Cochrane knew his fleet would be mired for the foreseeable future those shore batteries, coupled with a chain-mast boom, sunken vessels, U.S. gun boats and the Lazaretto Battery, presented a formidable harbor defensive line and any infantry assault would lack naval support. Georgiana, herself, had given away cuttings of the flag to other Armistead descendants, as well as family friends. After the Battle of Baltimore.
Vale Middle School Death,
James Jeffries Obituary,
Where To Sell Old Sports Illustrated Magazines,
Crowdstrike Api Documentation,
Articles D