This poem describes Francis Scott Key witnessing the American flag still waving over Fort McHenry after a night of bombardment during the Battle of Baltimore in the War of 1812. Key saw the American flag, with its broad stripes and bright stars, gallantly flying over the fort during the predawn hours despite the "rockets red glare" and "bombs bursting in air", proving that the fort had survived the night-long attack. The poem celebrates this sight which inspired the national anthem "The Star Spangled Banner".

1. “ The Star Spangled Banner” Poetry by Francis Scott Key Story of the Battle of Fort McHenry

2. O say, can you see by the dawn’s early light

3. What so proudly we hailed

4. At the twilight’s last gleaming?

5. Whose broad stripes and bright stars

6. Through the perilous fight

7. O’er the ramparts we watched

8. Were so gallantly streaming?

9. And the rockets red glare

10. The bombs bursting in air

11. Gave proof through the night,

12. That our flag was still there.

13. Oh say, does that star spangled banner yet wave

14. O’er the land of the free

15. And the home of the brave!

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