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This Day in History: on this day in 1779, American lawyer and amateur poet Francis Scott Key was born in Maryland.  In 1814, during a mission to negotiate the release of American prisoners on a British flagship, Key was held captive and forced to watch as the British bombarded Baltimore’s Fort McHenry.  The American victory and unwavering flag that flew triumphantly above the fort through the course of the battle inspired Francis Scott Key to write a poem he titled, “Defence of Fort McHenry.”

Key’s poem became the lyrics to the song that later became the national anthem, “The Star-Spangled Banner.”  

See how much a standardization manuscript for “The Star-Spangled Banner” (dating back to the early 20th century) is worth today on Antiques Roadshow.﻿
Appraisal: Standardization Manuscript for "The Star Spangled Banner", from Eugene Hour 3
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