“O! say can you see…”

The Star-Spangled Banner National Historic Trail traces the War of 1812 in the Chesapeake through tangible evidence of the war, stories of its people and events, and the war’s far-reaching impacts on this country and the world. The trail leads through rural landscapes and historic communities, along waterways once traveled by British and American troops, and to historic sites, scenic overlooks, reenactment events, commemorative events, the original Star-Spangled Banner flag, and the house where it was made. At Fort McHenry, after a 15-hour bombardment, soldiers raised a large American flag early on September 14, 1814; that flag, signaling British retreat, inspired Francis Scott Key to write the words that became America’s national anthem, The Star-Spangled Banner.

Virginia · United States