What is the famous account of British attack on Fort McHenry?

During the War of 1812, the British launched a massive attack on Fort McHenry in Baltimore, Maryland, on September 13-14, 1814. The bombardment of the fort lasted for over 25 hours, with the British firing over 1,500 shells and rockets. Despite the intense attack, the American flag continued to fly over the fort, inspiring Francis Scott Key to write the poem that would later become the United States national anthem, "The Star-Spangled Banner."

Key, a 35-year-old lawyer from Georgetown, was aboard a British ship as a prisoner of war during the attack on Fort McHenry. He had gone to the ship to negotiate the release of a friend who had been captured by the British. When he arrived, he was informed that he would have to remain aboard the ship until the attack was over.

Key spent the night anxiously watching the battle from the deck of the ship. He could see the rockets and bombs exploding over the fort, and he could hear the roar of the guns. As the night wore on, he began to despair that the Americans would be defeated.

However, at dawn, Key saw that the American flag was still flying over the fort. He was so moved by this sight that he began to write a poem. He scribbled the words on the back of an envelope, and by the end of the day, he had completed the poem that would become "The Star-Spangled Banner."

Key's poem was published in a Baltimore newspaper a few days later, and it quickly became popular throughout the United States. It was sung by soldiers and sailors, and it was used to rally support for the war effort. In 1931, "The Star-Spangled Banner" was officially designated as the national anthem of the United States.

Key's account of the British attack on Fort McHenry is a powerful reminder of the courage and resilience of the American people. It is a story of hope and inspiration, and it continues to inspire Americans today.