American Legion Square

Historical marker location:

2 Sycamore St, Westminster, Maryland

( Memorial can be reached from Sycamore Street North just south of South Street, on the left when traveling north.)

Marker installed: 1948

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.