Military
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On August 24, 1814, after defeating the Americans at nearby Bladensburg, British forces invaded Washington and burned the President's House, the U.S. Capitol, and other public buildings. Expecting Baltimore to be next, Americans rallied to defend the city. When the smoke cleared from the British assault there on September 14, Francis Scott Key saw the American flag flying over Fort McHenry. That sign of victory inspired him to write the "Star-Spangled Banner," which immortalized the flag in words that later became the national anthem. The flag came to represent American pride and resilience in the War of 1812 as an enduring symbol of the nation's identity and ideals.
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Washington, District of Columbia · United States
