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Facts About the Star-Spangled Banner
The term
"Star-Spangled Banner" commonly refers to the
flag that Francis Scott Key viewed over Fort
McHenry on the morning of September 14, 1814
following the bombardment of the fort by the
British.
The Star-Spangled
Banner was commissioned in early July
of 1813 by Major George Armistead, the commander of Fort
McHenry. Major Armistead provided instructions
that the flag should be "...so large that the
British will have no difficulty in seeing it from a
distance."
The Star-Spangled
Banner was constructed by flag-maker Mary
Young Pickersgill of Baltimore, Maryland during July and
August of 1813. Mary was assisted by her 13-year
old daughter, Caroline, and nieces Eliza and
Margaret Young. Mary may also have received help
from her mother, Rebecca Young.
Work on the flag was initially performed in
Mary's home but had to be moved to the malthouse of Clagget's Brewery for final assembly due to the large size of the flag.
Mary was paid
$405.90 for her work—a
considerable amount in 1813.
The Star-Spangled Banner consists of
fifteen alternating red and white stripes and fifteen
stars on a blue union. It was constructed of red, white
and blue wool bunting, with stars
of cotton fabric. Linen thread was used to sew it
together.
Each stripe is two feet in width, and
each star, two feet in diameter. The entire flag measured 30 feet by 42 feet and
weighed in excess of 150 pounds.
Unlike modern flags in which the rays of
the stars point vertically, the rays of the stars on the
first, third and fifth rows are canted slightly towards the
"fly" end,
while the stars on the second and fourth rows are canted
slightly towards the "hoist" end.
By virtue of its size, the
Star-Spangled Banner is
considered to be a "Holiday" or "Garrison" flag.
Flags of these type are only flown on Sundays,
holidays, or special occasions during periods of
good weather.
The Star-Spangled
Banner was not flown during the 25-hour
bombardment of Fort McHenry—a
smaller 17 by 25-foot version
of the same pattern known as a "Storm Flag," was used
since the British attack coincided with a heavy
rainstorm. "Storm Flags" are traditionally
used during periods of inclement weather to preserve
larger flags from excessive wear. Sadly, the fate of this flag is unknown although
it can be reasonably speculated that it was used until it
was unserviceable, and then disposed.
Key
witnessed the attack on Fort McHenry from a distance
of about eight miles aboard a small American sloop
anchored in Baltimore Harbor. Key, along with
Colonel John Skinner, had sailed under a flag of
truce to the British fleet
intent on securing the release of Doctor William Beanes.
Beanes, a patriot and a friend of Key, had been arrested
by the British in the aftermath of the battle and
burning
of Washington.
Following successful negotiations with Admiral
Cockburn of the Royal Navy, Key, Skinner and Beanes were permitted to return to their ship—however as they had knowledge of the location
and strength of the British fleet, they were not
permitted to return to Baltimore until after the
attack was completed.
The Star-Spangled
Banner was hoisted over Fort McHenry the morning
of Wednesday, September 14, 1814 following the
cessation of the British bombardment to signal the
American victory. Aboard his sloop in the
darkness, Key wondered what the silence of the guns
meant—had
the fort fallen? He
anxiously peered into the darkness and awaited
the dawn to see whether the American flag still flew
over the fort. The sight of this flag in
the light of the early morning inspired him to write a poem which he entitled
"Defence of Fort McHenry." This poem
served as the lyrics to our National Anthem.
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Fort
McHenry
Key
Watches THE
A red chevron was later sewn to
one of the white stripes by Louisa Armistead, widow
of Major George Armistead. Reportedly, she had
intended it to be the letter "A" (probably for
"Armistead") but never completed it.
