Fort McHenry

Fort in Baltimore, Maryland, that successfully defended the city from a British attack on 13–14 September 1814, during the War of 1812. The attack on this fort inspired Francis Scott Key to write the words of ‘The Star-Spangled Banner’, which later became the US national anthem.

The star-shaped fort, named for James McHenry (1753–1816), secretary of war under George Washington and a signer of the Declaration of Independence, is located at the entrance to Baltimore's harbour. It was designated a national monument and historical shrine in 1939.