Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine

National Monument and Historic Shrine · MD · nps.gov page

A large American flag waved over the brick sallyport of an old fort. — A star-spangled banner still gallantly streaming o'er the ramparts of Fort McHenryPhoto: NPS/ Tim Ervin

by the dawn's early light, a large red, white and blue banner? Whose broad stripes and bright stars... were so gallantly streaming...over Fort McHenry! The valiant defense of the fort during the Battle of Baltimore on September 13-14, 1814 inspired Francis Scott Key to write the words that became the U.S. national anthem. The fort's history holds many other stories too, from the Civil War to WWII.

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News

Celebrate America’s 250th Anniversary with Defenders’ Day Special Events at Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine September 11-13 2026-08-05
Best known as “home of ‘The Star-Spangled Banner’” for its role in the War of 1812, Fort McHenry has protected and inspired Americans from the country’s earliest years. This year’s Defenders’ Day events will explore 250 years of the fort’s history as an artillery garrison, hospital, training ground, and commemorative landscape.
Temporary Closure Order Public Notice for Sail250 Airshow 2026-06-23
This public notice details the temporary closures to be implemented for visitor safety during the Sail250 Baltimore Airshow events taking place on June 26-28, 2026.

Photos

Men in War of 1812 era uniforms pull a cannon over grass outside of a brick fort. — Attend a historic weapons demonstration by the Fort McHenry Guard.Photo: NPS/ Tim Ervin

Visitors hold the edges of a large American flag as it is raised on to a large flagpole — Visitors can help rangers change hoist the colors during a morning or evening flag change program.Photo: NPS/ Tim Ervin

Two young visitors with their right hands in the air as they are sworn in as Junior Rangers — Kids of all ages can discover the history of Fort McHenry as they earn their Junior Ranger badges.Photo: NPS/ Tim Ervin

Man in brought yellow shirt with a blue bicycle standing in front of a Fort McHenry identifier sign. — Bike, walk, run, or relax along the park's one-mile-long Seawall Trail.Photo: NPS/ M. de Manincor

Park information and photos come from the National Park Service. This is not an official NPS site.