← Fort McHenry & the Star-Spangled Banner
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Fort McHenry & the Star-Spangled Banner
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Fort McHenry & the Star-Spangled Banner
| Front | Back |
|---|---|
| Who wrote "The Star-Spangled Banner"? | Francis Scott Key, who watched the bombardment of Fort McHenry from a British ship and wrote a poem about what he saw. |
| When did Francis Scott Key write his famous poem? | In 1814, during the last year of the War of 1812. |
| What was Key's original title for his poem? | "Defence of Fort McHenry." |
| What event inspired Key to write his poem? | Watching the more than 24-hour British naval bombardment of Fort McHenry and seeing the American flag still flying the next morning. |
| When did the United States declare war on Great Britain? | June 1812, beginning the War of 1812. |
| Why did the British increase their military efforts against the U.S. in 1814? | Because Napoleon abdicated in April 1814, freeing British forces from fighting the French so they could focus on the Americans. |
| What happened in Washington, D.C. in August 1814? | British forces occupied Washington on August 24 and burned the Capitol, the White House, and other public buildings. |
| Why was Fort McHenry important in September 1814? | It stood between the British navy and the city of Baltimore, defending the city from attack. |
| What happened when Fort McHenry refused to surrender? | The British ships sailed away, and the fort's defenders cheered their victory. |
| What nickname is sometimes given to the War of 1812? | The "Second War of Independence." |
| How did Key's poem become linked with music? | It was almost immediately set to music and became known as "The Star Spangled Banner." |
| What is the modern significance of "The Star-Spangled Banner"? | It became the national anthem of the United States and a source of inspiration and unity for Americans in times of crisis. |
| Where is Fort McHenry located today? | Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine, at 2400 East Fort Avenue in Baltimore, Maryland. |
| Who gave the official account of the battle at Fort McHenry? | The fort's commander, whose report is included as "Armistead's Account of the Battle." |
| What does the lesson ask students to compare regarding "The Star-Spangled Banner"? | Different meanings and interpretations of the anthem's text and its role in American identity ("Whose 'Star-Spangled Banner'?"). |
| What geographic area did the British navy sail through to reach Washington and Baltimore? | Chesapeake Bay, with about fifty British ships sailing up it in August 1814. |
| What did Key feel as he saw the flag still flying over Fort McHenry? | He was overcome by "joyful triumph" upon realizing the fort had survived the bombardment. |
| What historical debate does one of the lesson's activities encourage students to explore? | The causes, justification, and consequences of the War of 1812 ("Debating the War of 1812"). |
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