Commemorate the national anthem’s creation and the defense of Fort McHenry that inspired it.

The valiant defense of Fort McHenry on the night of September 13, 1814, during the Battle of Baltimore inspired Francis Scott Key to write “The Star-Spangled Banner.” His message 200 years ago and the poem he set to music quickly spread and became the rallying cry for the new nation. Today, “The Star Spangled Banner” plays a central part in our everyday lives, but it wasn’t until 1931 that Congress declared it our national anthem. On the occasion of the anthem’s 200th birthday, GREAT PERFORMANCES and Maryland Public Television present an entertainment event on the beautiful Baltimore Harbor front to commemorate the anthem’s creation and the courageous battle that inspired it.