OUR FLAG

During the night of September 13, 1814, the British fleet bombarded
Fort McHenry in the harbor at Baltimore, Maryland.
Francis Scott Key, a 34-year old lawyer-poet, watched the
attack from the deck of a British prisoner-exchange ship. He had gone
to seek the release of a friend but they were refused permission to go
ashore until after the attack had been made. As the battle ceased on
the following morning, Key turned his telescope to the fort and saw
that the American flag was still waving. The sight so inspired him
that he pulled a letter from his pocket and began to write the poem
which eventually was adopted as the national anthem of the United
States-"The Star-Spangled Banner." Key was returned to Baltimore and
later that day took a room at a Baltimore tavern where he completed
the poem. Years later, Key told a hometown audience in Frederick,
Maryland: "I saw the flag of my country waving over a city-the
strength and pride of my native State-a city devoted to plunder
and desolation by its assailants. I witnessed the preparation for
its assaults. I saw the array of its enemies as they advanced to
the attack. I heard the sound of battle; the noise of the conflict
fell upon my listening ear, and told me that 'the brave and the
free' had met the invaders."

The Joint Committee on Printing is pleased to present the latest
edition of Our Flag. This Congressional publication briefly describes
the history of the flag, and sets forth the practices and observances
appropriate to its display. The Committee hopes that this document
will be both useful and informative to its audience.