Maryland in the American Civil War

2.07 Assessment Our national anthem comes from the lyrics come from "Defence of?Fort McHenry", a poem written in 1814 by a 35-year-old Francis Scott Key, after witnessing the bombardment of Fort McHenry by the British Royal Navy in Chesapeake Bay during the Battle of Fort McHenry in the War of 1812. IT was finally adopted by the government as our national anthem on March 3, 1931. Next the star spangled banner flag was created because they wanted a flag big enough that the British could see from miles and miles away! So they got Mary Pickergills and her daughter to create the massive flag which they used over 400 yards of wool. 15 stars were cut, 8 red and 7 white stripes were cut as well and by that August the flag was done. It was measured at 30 by 42 feet costing them $ 405.90.