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How did the Battle of Baltimore inspire Francis Scott Key to write “The Star-Spangled Banner”?

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1812, War of — War of 1812 Battle between the frigates HMS *Shannon* and USS *Chesapeake* off Boston during the War of 1812; detail of a lithograph Louis Haghe after by J.C. Schetky.

During the War of 1812, American lawyer and poet Francis Scott Key was detained on a British ship while negotiating the release of a friend, Dr. William Beanes. Because of these negotiations, Key was held captive during the British bombardment of Fort McHenry in Baltimore harbor on September 13–14, 1814.123

Throughout the 25-hour attack, Key watched the battle from the ship. At dawn on September 14, he observed that the American flag—a large garrison flag—was still flying over the fort. This sight signaled that the fort had withstood the assault and that the Americans had successfully prevented the British from capturing the city.314

Inspired by this dramatic scene, Key began writing a poem that same day, which he later completed at a hotel in Baltimore. Originally titled "The Defence of Fort M’Henry," the poem was later set to music and became known as "The Star-Spangled Banner," the U.S. national anthem.3421