Defenders' Day Celebrations at The Maryland Historical Society and Fort McHenry

See the Star-Spangled Banner Flag Fly For the First Time

September 13-15, 2013

BALTIMORE, Sept. 5, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Maryland Historical Society (MdHS) is recreating the 30 x 42 foot Star-Spangled Banner flag that inspired the writing of our National Anthem. Using authentic materials, over 1,000 volunteers have put in countless hours and more than 150,000 stitches to the flag. But the Star-Spangled Banner Project doesn't end with the final stitch. From Friday, September 13-Sunday, September 15, during the Star-Spangled Banner Defenders' Day Weekend, The Maryland Historical Society will commemorate the completion of the sewing of the flag by taking part in a city-wide celebration, which includes a flag ceremony at MdHS and raising the flag for the first time at Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine.

Beginning at 1:30 PM on Friday, September 13, Maryland Historical Society President Burt Kummerow will speak about the Star-Spangled Banner Project. Local school students will sing the National Anthem as the U.S. Army Old Guard Color Guard will fold the flag for transport to Fort McHenry. Ranger Vince Vaise, Fort McHenry Chief of Interpretation, will speak about the Battle Monument, a stop at which the flag will briefly visit on its way to Fort McHenry.

At Fort McHenry on Friday, September 13 beginning at 10 am, the newest quarter in the United States Mint's America the Beautiful Quarters® Program for 2013 will be launched. It features Fort McHenry and the Star-Spangled Banner and will be available all weekend at the Fort!

On Saturday, September 14 beginning at 6pm, the recreated Star-Spangled Banner flag will be transported by the U.S. Army Old Guard with a seven-horse caisson used at Arlington National Cemetery. This will be one of the rare times it has ever left the Cemetery grounds. 

The U.S. Army Drill Team will showcase a precision drill followed by a cannon-firing "battle" demonstrating the tactics used to defend Baltimore back in 1814. There will also be a patriotic concert by the U.S. Army Field Band and Soldiers' Chorus performing the "1812 Overture", complete with cannon fire.

And, as the sun sets, a symbolic ship-to-shore "bombardment" will commence, with pyrotechnic "bombs bursting in air" over the Fort and cannon thunder replies. The flag will be ceremoniously raised over the fort, to the singing of the National Anthem.

A 30-minute large fireworks display will provide the capstone to the evening. For more details about Defenders' Day at The Maryland Historical Society, visit www.mdhs.org. For more details about Defenders' Day at Fort McHenry, visit www.nps.gov/fomc  

Contact: Laura Rodini [email protected] 410-685-3750 Ext. 322

SOURCE The Maryland Historical Society