Daily Archives: September 14, 2014

Key begins writing poem later used for ‘The Star-Spangled Banner’ 200 years ago this morning (Sep 14 1814)


Video: 'The Forgotten War of 1812.' (Sep. 13-14, 1814, at 1:52:40)

(Wednesday, September 14, 1814; part of the Battle of Baltimore and War of 1812) — Francis Scott Key was inspired to begin writing the poem “Defence of Fort McHenry” today after witnessing how an American flag flying over the Maryland fort had withstood a night of British bombardment. The poem later became the words to “The Star-Spangled Banner.”