Defenders Day - The Star-Spangled Banner Weekend, Fort McHenry, Baltimore, MD
National Monumnet and Historic Shrine, Baltimore Harbor, 2400 E Fort Ave, Baltimore, MD.

Join for Fort McHenrys flagship event! This 3-day encampment and extravaganza is celebrated with over 100 War of 1812 reenactors, parades, military bands, fireworks, a symbolic ship-to-shore bombardment and much more!

The Star-Spangled Banner Weekend honors Defenders Day, Baltimores oldest holiday commemorating the bombardment of Fort McHenry and the writing of "The Star-Spangled Banner!" Events begin with a Friday evening ceremonial procession of War of 1812 "soldiers" from the Star-Spangled Banner Flag House to the Inner Harbor, followed by a ceremony at the amphitheater. After the ceremony the reenactors will board sailing boats and return with the 30x42 replica flag to Fort McHenry.

Saturday and Sunday, activities include childrens programs, historic boats, military encampments/demonstrations and a "privateers auction" of "captured goods." Saturday evenings program, beginning at 6 p.m., features a concert, a musket firing tactical demonstration with volunteer reenactors from all over the country (narrated), a symbolic ship-to-shore bombardment and evening fireworks show.

Friday,

"Flags to the Fort! Ceremony" - Join the 1814 defenders of Baltimore as they march with the "Star-Spangled Banner" from the National War of 1812 Museum and Star Spangled Banner Flag House to the Inner Harbor. The march begins at 5:50 p.m.

The highlight of the Friday program is a grand ceremony in Baltimores Inner Harbor at the amphitheater at 6:00 p.m. The ceremony involves a fife and drum concert, short talk on the importance of Defenders Day and flag presentation. The ceremony concludes as the reenactors cast off and depart the Inner Harbor on historic sailing boats. Join them as they land at Tide Point and continue the parade up Hull Street to Fort Avenue and back to Fort McHenry.

The Friends of Fort McHenry

The Friends of Fort McHenry is the primary private, non-profit group that supports Fort McHenry. By working with Baltimore-area businesses, the Living Classrooms Foundation and the National Park Service, the Friends are instrumental in sponsoring summer ceremonies, educational programs and the Star-Spangled Banner Weekend. Last year alone, The Friends were responsible for bringing over 1,000 Baltimore City school students to Fort McHenry for special curriculum-based educational programs.

Defenders Day

Defenders Day commemorates the writing of "The Star-Spangled Banner," the National Anthem, and the successful defense of Baltimore City during the War of 1812. The holiday honors all individuals who contributed to the victory in 1814 - soldiers, sailors and citizens.

Citizens from all walks of life and diverse backgrounds rallied to defend the city from British invasion. They dug entrenchments, made ammunition, and improved forts such as Fort McHenry. One eyewitness remarked "white and black are all at work together...

There is no distinction whatsoever." Over 15,000 citizen soldiers, or "militia" from Maryland, Virginia and Pennsylvania reinforced the citys defenses.

On September 12, 1814, American militia fought professional British soldiers at the Battle of North Point eight miles from Baltimore. They inflicted over 300 casualties and mortally wounded the British land commander, Major General Robert Ross. The tenacity of Baltimores militia and the entrenchments outside the city convinced the British to cancel their land attack.

The British naval assault on Fort McHenry began the following day. Francis Scott Key immortalized the bombardment with the words "the rockets red glare and bombs bursting in air. . ."

In spite of 25 hours of continuous shelling, the defenders of the fort held firm. As the British sailed away the defenders hoisted a large 30 x 42-foot American flag over the fort, inspiring Francis Scott Key to write "The Star-Spangled Banner."

Defenders Day has been celebrated every year since 1814 and was proclaimed a Maryland State Holiday in 1908.


Weekend Schedule

Roll calls, inspections in camps.

Dress parade in fort, 30X42 flag is raised.

Defend the Battery! Ongoing cannon-firing demonstrations at the Water Battery.

"Lest We Forget" Join the Society of the War of 1812 as they lay a wreath in remembrance of the heroes who paid the ultimate sacrifice to defend the city in 1814.

"The Burning of Washington and Birth of the Anthem" - Join noted author and journalist Anthony Pitch as he relates the exciting events that led to the writing of "The Star-Spangled Banner." (Armistead Plaza)

"What stirring Music!" - Fife and Drum concert in the fort.

"The Sounds of Battle!" See how land battles were fought in the War of 1812. Come and watch reenactors fire cannons and muskets and simulate battle tactics from the early 1800s. Tactical - (program area)

Defend the Battery! Ongoing cannon and musket firing demonstrations at the Water Battery


Join them at 6:00 p.m.(Saturday) for the highlight of the weekend! The grand evening program!

Celebrate Baltimores oldest holiday in grand style as we commemorate the 195th anniversary of the successful defense of the city from British attack and the writing of "The Star-Spangled Banner," our national anthem. This memorable program is free! Visitors are invited to bring coolers and lawn chairs to watch the spectacular celebration. The "big show" includes:

* Speeches by famous personalities
* Musket and Cannon firing tactical demonstration by War of 1812 reenactors
* Concert by the Chesapeake Concert Band
* Symbolic Ship-to-Shore Bombardment - watch the cannons of the fort fire down the river as pyrotechnic "bombs" explode over the fort
* Huge 30-minute Firework Show by Zambelli!

>City(s) = Baltimore; State(s) = MD; Country = USA.
>Title = Defenders Day - Fort McHenry, Baltimore, MD, US - Video.
>Keywords = Defenders Day, The Star Spangled Banner Weekend, Fort McHenry, Baltimore, MD, National Monumnet and Historic Shrine, inner Harbor Ave, War of 1812, reenactors, parades, military, bands, fireworks, ship to shore, bombardment, soldiers, amphitheater, replica flag, boats, privateer, concert, musket, firing, tactical show, ourtripvideos, our, trip, videos, crlapindfrn, Friends, Anthem, sailors, citizens, British invasion, militia, Sept, 12, 1814 (104)
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