Fort McHenry

Fort McHenry National Monument & Historic Shrine. Fort McHenry was established as a national park in 1925 and re-designated a national monument and historic shrine in 1939. It preserves the 43-acre site of the War of 1812 battle that inspired Francis Scott Key to write the score that became the U.S. national anthem. On Sept. 13-14, 1814, British naval vessels began a 25-hour bombardment of the fort in support of troop landings meant to capture Baltimore. Only four defenders died, but enemy forces withdrew. The fort was built in 1794 and was named for U.S. Secretary of War James McHenry.