FREEDOM SHRINE

Despite recently winning its independence, the United States still saw interference in its trade by the British and the Royal Navy’s impressment (taking by force) of American seamen. This started the War of 1812. The United States suffered many defeats from the British and their allies, namely the Capitol building and White House being set on fire on August 24, 1814 by British troops. The British focused on Baltimore, Maryland, which was an important seaport. They fired rockets and bombs at Fort McHenry. Francis Scott Key, an amateur poet and attorney who was aboard a distant ship, saw the American flag being raised above the fort and British ships withdrawing, symbolizing an American victory. Inspired by the sight, he wrote “The Star-Spangled Banner” on the back of a letter. His poem got published and grew in popularity, officially becoming the national anthem in 1931. While the anthem is meant to represent the ideals of the country, including the phrase “land of the free”, Key was in fact a slaveholder and a leader of the relocation of slaves movement.