Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine
| Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine | |||
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| Location: | Maryland , United States | ||
| Specialty: | Fort in Baltimore Harbor. Place of origin of the national anthem of the United States | ||
| Next city: | Baltimore | ||
| Surface: | 0.2 km² | ||
| Founding: | March 3, 1925 | ||
| Visitors: | 620636 (2005) | ||
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The Fort McHenry is a former military fort, located in the Port of Baltimore , Maryland .
During the British-American War , the fort was bombed by the Royal Navy on the night of September 14, 1814 . The Battle of Baltimore was one of the most important battles in the British-American War.
The action was followed during a prisoner exchange from the deck of a British ship by the American Francis Scott Key . The impressions presented to him inspired him to write the poem The Defense of Fort McHenry , which today forms the text of the American national anthem .
In 1925 the fort was designated as a national park, in 1939 it was rededicated as a National Monument or the unique National Monument & Historic Shrine . The memorial with museum, ceremonial changing of flags by performers in period costumes and other attractions is managed by the National Park Service .
Meaning for the national flag
The raising of the national flag is of particular importance in the fort. According to § 2 of the Flag Act of the USA , a further star is added after the addition of another state with effect from the following July 4th ( Independence Day ). On the morning of July 4th, the new flag will be hoisted for the first time at Fort McHenry. Only then will the new flag be used nationwide.
Web links
- National Park Service: Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine (official site; English)