Fort McHenry - Baltimore, MD

On Sunday morning we visited Fort McHenry in Baltimore. It was the sight of the battle for Baltimore during the Revolutionary War. The British came in off the shore to fight and the Americans were ready for them. After a battle of constant bombs shot from canons all during the day and night, the British retreated. On the morning after when the dust settled and the sun rose, the American flag was still waving. Here is where Francis Scott Key penned the poem, Star Spangled Banner which later turned into our national anthem. It was so neat to visit this place - they had a 15 minute video explaining the battle that took place and then at the end, a curtain opened to show the fort and the flag waving in the air. They asked you to stand and the national anthem was played loudly and it was very touching. It must have been a military choir singing it because it was so beautiful. Then, you were able to tour the actual fort.

Fort McHenry - all American and State flags that are flown for governmental purposes must be flown here first before they are flown in their respective state. You can bring your own U.S. flag and fly it here and they give you a certificate afterwards.

Entrance to fort

Barracks of the soldiers and men dressed like the Revolutionary War soldiers with their guns

Storage for the gun powder

Bomb bunker

The actual letter sent to Francis Scott Key from the President's secretary saying this was the pen the President used to declare his poem as the national anthem.

Drew in front of the tribute to Francis Scott Key

Drew and me in front of a picture of the original first U.S. flag