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Fort McHenry is a historical American coastal pentagonal bastion fort on Locust Point, now a neighborhood of Baltimore, Maryland. It is best known for its role in the War of 1812, when it successfully defended Baltimore Harbor from an attack by the British navy from Chesapeake Bay on September 13–14, 1814.
May 28, 2024 · The valiant defense of the fort during the Battle of Baltimore on September 13-14, 1814 inspired Francis Scott Key to write the words that became the U.S. national anthem. The fort's history holds many other stories too, from the Civil War to WWII.
Fort McHenry, a large star fortress built in 1800, guards Baltimore’s inner harbor at a bend in the Patapsco River. The British plan to land troops on the eastern side of the city while the navy reduces the fort, allowing for naval support of the ground troops when they attack the city’s defenders.
In 1798 construction began to expand upon Fort Whetstone with brick and stone masonry to create a new, more permanent, structure. The new fort was dubbed Fort McHenry, named after George Washington’s Secretary of War, and Baltimore native, James McHenry. Artist's depiction of the bombardment of Fort McHenry. NPS.
Jan 21, 2024 · Visiting Fort McHenry. Visitors to Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine can start their visit before leaving home. Download the new NPS App which is the official app for all 420+ NPS sites.
Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine, site of the star-shaped fort that successfully defended Baltimore, Md., U.S., from a British attack during the War of 1812. This event was the inspiration for Francis Scott Key’s poem “The Star-Spangled Banner.”
Fort McHenry. It was the sight of the Star-Spangled Banner waving defiantly over Fort McHenry during the Battle of Baltimore in 1814 that inspired Francis Scott Key to write our National Anthem. Learn More.
