The Battle of Baltimore: How Our Harbor Helped Define America
The Battle of Baltimore in September 1814 was an uplifting victory for beleaguered Americans. Coming shortly after the British attack on Washington, D.C.—and the torching of the Capitol and White House—the success of Baltimore’s citizen soldiers electrified the nation and hastened the war’s end. The sight of Fort McHenry after the battle inspired Francis Scott Key to write “The Star-Spangled Banner,” which became the national anthem in 1931.
As tall ships return to the Inner Harbor for the culmination of Baltimore’s bicentennial celebrations, join us for a special program hosted by Aquarium director John Racanelli to explore the history and lasting legacy of the Battle of Baltimore. Co-sponsored by the Johns Hopkins University Press and the Maryland Historical Society, the program will feature a panel of historians, experts and authors whose recent books have focused on the War of 1812, key events in the Chesapeake region, the “The Star-Spangled Banner” and the war’s impact on American identity.
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