GOD BLESS AMERICA!
It was the year 1812; Louisiana had just been added as the 18th state. The Northwest Territory consisted of Part of Minnesota, and all of the modern states of Wisconsin, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, and Michigan.
We were a small nation — suffering growing pains.
The British did not yet fully accept that the new nation could stand on its own. They identified the potential wealth! They were seizing American ships on the high seas and forcing seamen to join the British navy or merchant navy. They seized our ships bound for Europe if the ships failed to stop at a British port, but the French confiscated ships that first stopped in Britain. America’s export business was just getting started, Britain and France each wanted to be the sole trader.
The British and the French were fighting the Napoleonic Wars – neither wanted the US to sell to the other. American trade was suffering; Congress reluctantly declared war against Great Britain.
The War of 1812 lasted for two years and was waged on many fronts. The first attack was against Canada. Battles were fought on Lake Erie at Fort Detroit, on Mackinac Island at Fort Mackinac, and in the heartland of our country – in Washington, DC. The British strategy was to sever America’s connection to Europe, thus creating economic disaster for us.
The British easily moved into Chesapeake Bay in 1814. They burned our nation’s capitol and the White House. British ships gathered in Baltimore Harbor, which was defended by Fort McHenry. The British fleet was larger, stronger, and its weapons had greater range. The Fort gave up – returned no fire because it could not reach its target.
An attorney was waiting for a prisoner exchange on a ship in the harbor. Looking towards shore in the darkness, he could see only as the exploding shells illuminated the sky. Yes, it was still there – the American Flag – still flying behind the strong walls (ramparts).
The battle waged for 25 hours, but the British finally gave up and retreated. At dawn, the flag was still there! The attorney, Francis Scott Key, overwhelmed by the sight, penned a poem. Later set to music, his inspiration gave us our National Anthem.
“The Star Spangled Banner” was sung often throughout the next century. In 1917 it was sung throughout the World Series games, in honor of the soldiers fighting World War I. Congress officially proclaimed it as our National Anthem on March 3, 1931.
Loyal Americans, stand proudly, hand over heart, head held high, and sing:
“…the Star Spangled Banner in triumph shall wave, o’er the land of the free and the home of the brave!”
GOD BLESS THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA!!
07/03/20