Cultural history
Ed Hynes’ Lecture on The Writing of the Star-Spangled Banner
Learn how during the War of 1812, Francis Scott Key and two other Americans were detained on British war ships in Baltimore Harbor while they ferociously bombarded Ft. McHenry. What circumstances conspired to have the captives use the rocket’s red glare and the bombs bursting in air to give them proof through the night that our flag was still there.
July 14, 2021
