A City Divided

Historical marker location:

Hagerstown, Maryland

( Marker is at the intersection of North Potomac Street (State Highway 65) and West Washington Street (U.S. 40), on the right when traveling south on North Potomac Street.)

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.