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The occasion which inspired "The Star-spangled Banner" must always be
memorable in the annals of our country. The war with the British had
been about two years in progress, when, in August, 1814, a British
fleet arrived in the Chesapeake, and an army under General Ross landed
about forty miles from the city of Washington.

The army took possession of Washington, burnt the capitol, the
President's residence, and other public buildings, and then sailed
around by the sea to attack Baltimore. The fleet was to bombard Fort
McHenry, while the land forces were to attack the city.

The commanding officers of the fleet and land army, Admiral Cockburn
and General Ross, made their headquarters in Upper Marlboro, Maryland,
at the house of Dr. William Beanes, whom they held as their prisoner.

Francis Scott Key, who was a warm friend of Dr. Beanes, went to
President Madison in order to enlist his aid in securing the release of
Beanes. The president furnished Key with a vessel, and instructed John
L. Skinner, agent for the exchange of prisoners, to accompany him under
a flag of truce to the British fleet.

The British commander agreed to release Dr. Beanes, but would not
permit Key and his party to return then, lest they should carry back
important information to the American side. He boastingly declared,
however, that the defense could hold out only a few hours, and that
Baltimore would then be in the hands of the British.

Skinner and Key were sent on board the Surprise, which was under the
command of Admiral Cockburn's son. But after a short time they were
allowed to return to their own vessel, and from its deck they saw the
American flag waving over Fort McHenry and witnessed the bombardment.

All through the night the furious attack of the British continued. The
roar of cannon and the bursting of shells was incessant. It is said
that as many as fifteen hundred shells were hurled at the fort.

Shortly before daybreak the firing ceased. Key and his companions
waited in painful suspense to know the result. In the intense silence
that followed the cannonading, each one asked himself if the flag of
his country was still waving on high, or if it had been hauled down to
give place to that of England. They strained their eyes in the
direction of Baltimore, but the darkness revealed nothing.

At last day dawned, and to their delight the little party saw the
American flag still floating over Fort McHenry. Key's heart was stirr