The
Star Spangled Banner History for kids: The History and Cause of the War of
1812
The
War of 1812 was yet another conflict
with the British, famously called the
'Second War for Independence' that lasted for 2 years 8 months. The
cause of the War of 1812 were the actions of the British towards the
United States during the Napoleonic Wars against France (1803–1815).
The British had disturbed US commerce
by stationing British warships off principal ports, had refused to
permit trade between the US and Europe and had Impressed (kidnapped)
American seamen.
Facts about the Star Spangled Banner History for kids
Interesting History Facts about the Star Spangled Banner History are
as follows. The Star Spangled Banner History is told in a series of
facts providing a simple method of relating the events that led to
Francis Scott Lee writing the poem he called the 'Star Spangled
Banner'. The facts answer the questions of why the flag that was to
become known as the Star Spangled Banner was made, who made the
flag, the size and weight of the flag and who made the flag. Also
refer to the
Meaning and Lyrics of the
Star Spangled Banner
History Facts about the
Star
Spangled Banner History
Star Spangled Banner History Fact 1:
During the War of
1812 in addition to the British operations on the
Canadian frontier, the British tried to capture New
Orleans and the cities on Chesapeake Bay.
Star Spangled Banner History Fact 2:
On August 24, 1814
the British had entered Washington where they
burned the Capitol, the White House, and several other
public buildings.
Star Spangled Banner History Fact 3:
The
Burning of
Washington DC stirred the highly patriotic feelings of
outraged Americans including Francis Scott Key and these
dramatic events were no doubt in his mind when he wrote
the Star Spangled Banner
History Fact 4:
Francis Scott Key was
a lawyer who owned a law practice in Georgetown, a
suburb of Washington, D.C.
Star Spangled Banner History Fact 5:
Francis Scott Key had
appeared many times before the Supreme Court, and had
been appointed the United States District Attorney.
History Fact 6:
On August 24, 1814,
Dr. William Beanes, a prominent US physician was taken
prisoner by the British
History Fact 7:
Lawyer Francis Scott
Key was asked to help to get Dr. Beanes released.
History Fact 8:
Baltimore, located in
Chesapeake Bay, Maryland, was a key British target
during the War of 1812.
Star Spangled Banner History Fact 9:
The British were in
the Chesapeake Bay, and Francis Scott Key left for
Baltimore where he met with Colonel John Skinner, a
government agent who arranged for prisoner exchanges.
Star Spangled Banner History Fact 10:
On September 5,
Francis Scott Key and Colonel Skinner boarded a
small American flag-of-truce ship to meet the British
naval officers on the British flagship, HMS Tonnant
Star Spangled Banner History Fact 11:
The negotiations were cordial and the British agreed to
release Dr. Beanes but Francis Scott Key and Colonel
Skinner were not permitted to return to Baltimore until
after the intended bombardment of Fort McHenry, which
was located in the outer harbor of Baltimore
Star Spangled Banner History Fact 12:
The Americans were
transferred from HMS Tonnant back on to the American
flag-of-truce ship to wait behind the British naval
fleet
Star Spangled Banner History Fact 14:
Important George
Armistead (1780 – 1818) was the commander of Fort
McHenry during the Battle of Baltimore in the War of
1812.
Star Spangled Banner History Fact 15:
When Important Armistead
arrived at Fort McHenry, to prepare for the eventual
attack by the British fleet, he ordered the hoisting of
"a flag so large that the British would have no
difficulty seeing it from a distance"
Star Spangled Banner History Fact 16:
Important Armistead
commissioned a local Baltimore flag maker called Mary
Pickersgill (1776-1857) to make two flags, "one American
ensign, 30 X 42 feet, first quality bunting" and another
flag 17 by 25 feet."
Star Spangled Banner History Fact 17:
The job was too large
for one person to complete so Mary Pickersgill enlisted
the help of seamstresses including her mother, Rebecca
Young, her daughter, Caroline, her 2 nieces, Eliza
Young and Margaret Young and a free African American
apprentice seamstress called Grace Wisher
Star Spangled Banner History Fact 18:
The large flag
weighed about 50 pounds (23 kg) and measured 42’ x 30’
and contained over 400 yards (366 meters) of cloth, and
included 15 stripes and 15 stars, one for each of the 15
states of the union.
History Fact 19:
The stripes and the
blue canton were of made of English wool and the stars
were made of cotton
History Fact 20:
Each of the stars on
the flag measured 24 inches (60 cm) across and each
stripe was two feet (60 cm) wide
History Facts about the
Star
Spangled Banner History
Star Spangled Banner
History for kids
The Star Spangled Banner History
for kidsprovides interesting
History Facts and
important information about this important symbol of
America that transpired during the presidency of the 4th President of the United States of America.
History Facts about the
Star
Spangled Banner History
History Fact 21:
The flag took six
weeks to make and was delivered to Important Armistead on
October 27, 1813
Star Spangled Banner History Fact 22:
A receipt for $405.90
was given to Mary Pickersgill for the large flag.
Another receipt for $168.54 was provided for the smaller
storm flag
Star Spangled Banner History Fact 23:
The enormous American
flag was raised over Fort Henry in clement weather and
could be seen from a distance of several miles
History Fact 24:
On September 13, 1814
the British fleet attempted to sail around Fort McHenry
en route to Baltimore.
History Fact 25:
The Battle of Baltimore commenced and American troops
fired the cannons of Fort Henry hoping to halt the
British advance
Star Spangled Banner History Fact 26:
The British cannons returned the fire and pounded Fort
Henry until 7:30 on the second morning of the engagement
on September 14, 1814. The British fired 1,800 shells at
Fort McHenry during the 24 hour conflict, of which about
400 landed inside the defensive perimeter
Star Spangled Banner History Fact 27:
Fire was exchanged at
the Battle of Baltimore for a total of 25 hours. Given
the force of the British navy, Francis Scott Key was
half expecting a British victory. The British guns were
much bigger than the Americans and they were able
to attack without getting hit back. From his position,
behind the British fleet, he had not idea of the outcome
of the Battle of Baltimore...
Star Spangled Banner History Fact 28:
Francis Scott Key
looked towards Fort Henry in the early morning light of
September 14, 1814 and saw not the Union Jack flying
over the fort, but the American flag flying proudly in
the wind. The enormous US flag announced the American
victory at the Battle of Baltimore
History Fact 29:
The British, unable
to destroy Fort Henry, had made the decision to leave
History Fact 30:
Francis Scott Key
returned to Fort Henry and was inspired to write the
poem "The Star Spangled Banner"
Star Spangled Banner History Fact 31:
The patriotic words
of his poem "The Defence of Fort McHenry" which would
become known as "The Star Spangled Banner" were read by
his brother-in-law, Judge Joseph H. Nicholson, a
commander of a militia at Fort McHenry who immediately
arranged for the poem to be distributed as a handbill
Star Spangled Banner History Fact 32:
The Baltimore Patriot
newspaper soon printed the poem, and within weeks,
Francis Scott Key's poem, now called "The Star-Spangled
Banner," appeared in print across the country.
Star Spangled Banner History Fact 33:
Francis Scott Key
later explained that the Star Spangled Banner poem
"...was the first time that someone had put down in
words their feelings about their country and the flag"
Star Spangled Banner History Fact 34:
The War of 1812
resulted in a stalemate but the Battle of Baltimore were
immortalized in the words of the "The Star-Spangled
Banner" and forever gave this special name to the flag
it celebrated.
History Fact 35:
"The Star-Spangled
Banner" poem was put to the music of a British drinking
song called "To Anacreon in Heaven."
Star Spangled Banner History Fact 36:
On October 17, 1814
it was announced that after a play at the Baltimore
Theatre that "Mr. Hardinge will sing a much admired new
song, written by a gentleman of Maryland, in
commemoration of the gallant defence of Fort McHenry,
called The Star Spangled Banner."
History Fact 37:
On March 3, 1931,
President Herbert Hoover signed an act into law that
made "The Star Spangled Banner" the national anthem of
the United States of America.
History Fact 38:
1845: The patriotic
fervor of Americans led to the belief in the
Manifest Destiny of
the United States
History Facts about the
Star
Spangled Banner History
Star Spangled Banner History - President James Madison Video
The article on the
Star Spangled Banner History provides an overview of one of the Important
events of his presidential term in office. The following
James Madison video will
give you additional important History Facts and dates about the political events experienced by the 4th American President whose presidency spanned from March 4, 1809 to March 4, 1817.
Star Spangled Banner History
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Interesting Facts about the
Star Spangled Banner History for kids
●
The Star Spangled Banner History
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The Star Spangled Banner History, a Important
event in US history
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James Madison Presidency from March 4, 1809 to March 4, 1817
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Fast, fun, interesting
Facts on the Star Spangled Banner History
● Francis Scott Lee and the Star Spangled Banner History?
●
James Madison Presidency and
the Star Spangled Banner History for schools,
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