Describes the man and the story behind the creation of America's national anthem, profiling Francis Scott Key as a busy and respected political advisor who was inspired to write his famous poem after witnessing the Battle of Fort McHenry.

Illustrates three verses of our national anthem, written at the battle of Fort McHenry during the War of 1812. Includes music, background history, and pictures of flags used in the United States, past and present.

"Complemented by historical artwork and photos, an account of the lesser-known history of America's national anthem describes the American flag's design, the important contributions of free black soldiers during the War of 1812, and the intense battle that inspired Francis Scott Key's poem." --

Relates events of the 1814 Battle of Baltimore as seen through the eyes of twelve-year-old Caroline Pickersgill, who had worked with her family and their servants to sew the enormous flag which waved over Fort McHenry.

Looks at the events leading up to the War of 1812 and the battle of Fort McHenry, and describes the story of the "Star Spangled Banner", and how the poem became the national anthem of the United States.

"In September of 1814, the United States was a relatively young country engaged in a war with the most powerful nation of the time, Great Britain. A British fleet launched a devasting overnight bombardment of the American fort that defended Baltimore harbor. As the sun rose the next morning, a young lawyer named Francis Scott key who had observed the battle saw tha t the American flag was still flying. Inspired, he wrote a poem that would later be...