8-27-10: Move Over Francis Scott Key

This conversation originally aired June 13, 2008.

Every Maryland grade-schooler knows the story of British bombardment of Fort McHenry, which inspired Francis Scott Key to write “The Star Spangled Banner.”  But according Fort McHenry’s historian Scott Sheads, Maryland’s role in the War of 1812 includes several lesser-known (but equally important) battles.  He’ll tell us about the pivotal battle of North Point, and how the invasion of Baltimore was provoked by a bout of bad weather.

In about two weeks, you can go to Fort McHenry for the Star-Spangled Banner Weekend. On Friday, September 12 10, there will be a ceremonial procession from the Star-Spangled Banner Flag House to the Inner Harbor, and War of 1812 reenactors will board boats to sail back to Fort McHenry with the flag. That Sunday at Fort McHenry, there will be a flag-raising, parade, and, of course, muskets.

CORRECTION: It’s Friday, September 10, of course, not the 12th, which is a Sunday. The parade is definitely on Friday (the 10th), and there’s lots of stuff happening on Saturday (the 11th) and Sunday (the 12th), too. Sorry for any confusion! More information about the Star-Spangled Weekend at the Fort McHenry website.