Mob Scene

Historical marker location:

Downtown West, Maryland

( Marker is at the intersection of Charles Street and Pratt Street on Charles Street.)

Star-Spangled Banner National Historic Site. National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior.

Maryland was the birthplace of the national anthem: The national anthem of the United States, "The Star-Spangled Banner," was written by Francis Scott Key during the War of 1812. Key witnessed the bombardment of Fort McHenry in Baltimore Harbor and was inspired by the American flag still flying over the fort at dawn.