On September 14, 1814, American lawyer and poet Francis Scott Key witnessed a defining moment in US history. Following a relentless 25-hour bombardment of Baltimore's Fort McHenry by the British Royal Navy during the War of 1812, he looked through the morning mist and saw the American flag still waving triumphantly over the fort.

Moved by the sight of resilience, Key penned the poem "Defence of Fort M'Henry," which captured the endurance of the nation. Set to music, those words evolved into "The Star-Spangled Banner"—officially adopted as the US National Anthem in 1931.

Legacy: The original 30x42 foot flag that inspired the song is currently preserved at the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History.

Sometimes, the darkest nights give birth to the most enduring symbols of hope and strength. 🇺🇸✨

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