1609 Shakespeare Street

Historical marker location:

1609 Shakespeare Street, Fells Point, Maryland

( Marker is on Shakespeare Street just west of South Bethel Street, on the left when traveling west.)

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.