“O! say can you see…”

The Star-Spangled Banner National Historic Trail traces the War of 1812 in the Chesapeake, where tangible evidence of the war and stories of its people and events reveal its far-reaching impacts on this country and the world. The trail passes through rural landscapes and historic communities, follows waterways once traveled by British and American troops, and includes historic sites, scenic overlooks, reenactment 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.

Montross, Virginia · United States