 FRANCIS SCOTT KEY
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FRANCIS SCOTT KEY
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In 1813 the commander of Ft. McHenry asked for a flag so big that "the British have no trouble seeing it from a distance." He asked Mary Young Pickersgill to make the flag for him. Her thirteen year old daughter Caroline helped her. She used 400 yards of fine wool. They cut 15 stars that were two feet across. There were
8 red and 7 white stripes. The stripes were each two feet wide. When it was finished it measured 30 by 42 feet and cost $405.90.
During this time Francis Scott Key was a lawyer in Georgetown, just a few miles from Washington D.C. He and his wife Mary had 6 sons and 5 daughters.
In 1814, the British captured Washington and set the Capitol on fire. President James Madison and his wife Dolley had to leave the White House and run to a safer place.
After this attack, the Americans knew that Baltimore would be attacked next. The British had captured Mr. Key's friend. His name was William Beanes and he was a doctor. Key and another man set out to try to save Dr. Beanes' life. They told the British the doctor had helped to save British soldiers who had been wounded. They agreed to free him, but they wouldn't let them leave because the three men had overheard the British making plans to attack. So they were placed under guard on a British ship.
It was from this ship Francis Scott Key watched the bombing of Ft. McHenry. There was a lot of smoke and haze, but when daylight came, he could see the flag was still waving.
Larger view
Original at Library of CongressHe was so inspired he began to write a poem on the back of a letter he had in his pocket. He later finished the poem and showed it to his brother-in-law who took it to a printer and had copies made of it. Two of these copies survive today.
Newspapers started printing it and people began singing it to a familiar tune.
The Star Spangled Banner was adopted as our national anthem on March 3, 1931.
The flag which flew over Ft. McHenry is now at the Smithsonian in the Museum of American History. The flag is very fragile and they keep a curtain in front of it to protect it from the light and dust. They show the flag for a few moments once every hour when the museum is open to the public.
A frequent question: "Who wrote this biography and when was it written?" Look on this Reference Citations Chart.
See
The flag that Francis Scott Key saw
now at the Smithsonian
Fort McHenry
national monument
Story of Francis Scott Key
The Star Spangled Banner
the text as originally written and changes to it
The Star Spangled Banner
words and free sheet music
Poems of Francis Scott Key
Another story of the flag
The Star Spangled Banner (Beautiful Feet Books)
By Beautiful Feet Books
This beautifully illustrated book contains the lyrics to the "Star Spangled Banner." Softcover.
Our Country, Intermediate Thematic Unit
By Homeschool / Teacher Created Resources
Our Country is a thematic literature unit which gives students the opportunity to learn more about America's presidents, national symbols, and historical monuments. Within these 80 pages, teachers will find lesson ideas and reproducible pages designed to use with intermediate-aged students. Four high quality nonfiction picture books-So You Want to Be President?, Eyewitness: Presidents, Uncle Sam and Old Glory, and A is for America-provide the basis for these materials. Teachers wil find introductory and supplemental activities that encourage and extend the reading of each title. Additional activities provide curriculum connections to language arts, math, science, social studies, art, music, and life skills. The unit ends with bulletin board ideas and culminating activities.
From Word Central's Student Dictionary
by Merriam - Webster
(Pronunciation note: the schwa sound is shown by ə)
capitol
Pronunciation: 'kap-ət-əl, 'kap-təl
Function: noun
: the building in which a state legislature meets...
inspired, inspire
Pronunciation: in-'spI(ə)r
Function: verb
...: to cause to have a particular thought or feeling
(a childhood that inspired her with a desire for education) ...
anthem
Pronunciation: 'an(t)-thəm
Function: noun
1 : a sacred composition with words usually from the Scriptures
2 : a song of praise or gladness
fragile
Pronunciation: 'fraj-əl, -"Il
Function: adjective
: easily broken or destroyed : delicate...
Page Comments
Most Recent Comments ( See more comments on this page ) 2009-05-31
there was alot of great information.
2009-05-14
this is a good website
2009-02-26
this was very helpful...now i gotta paint the scene franis saw from the deck .....sigh*
oh say can u see.....
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