Blackford's Ford

Historical marker location:

Sharpsburg, Maryland

( Marker can be reached from Shepherdstown Pike (State Highway 34).)

Advance and Retreat. Early's 1864 Attack on Washington.

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.