Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine
191st Annual Defenders' Day
Star-Spangled Banner Weekend Schedule

Friday, September 9, 2005

"Flags to the Fort " - Join the 1814 defenders of Baltimore as they march with the "Star-Spangled Banner" from the National War of 1812 Museum & Star Spangled Banner Flag House to the Inner Harbor. The march begins at 5:40 p.m.

The highlight of the Friday program is a grand ceremony in Baltimore's Inner Harbor at the amphitheater at 6:00 p.m. The ceremony involves a fife and drum concert, short talk on the importance of Defenders' Day and flag presentation. The ceremony concludes as the re-enactors cast off and depart the Inner Harbor on historic sailing boats. Join them as they land at Tide Point and continue the parade up Hull Street to Fort Avenue and back to Fort McHenry.

Saturday, September 10, 2005

9:00 a.m. "Fall In!"- Roll calls, inspections in camps.

10:00 a.m. "Oh Say Can You See . . .?"- Dress parade in fort, 30'X42' flag is raised.

10:30 a.m. "Free Time"- Living history programs in the camps.

11:00 a.m. "Sabers and Horses"- learn how the Americans used cavalry during the War of 1812. Demonstration will involve mounted troops engaging in cavalry tactics of the period.

11:15 a.m. "The Star-Spangled Banner"- Children's author Amy Winstead will read her book "The Star Spangled Banner" - about a boy who watches the Battle of Baltimore as a British prisoner.

11:30 a.m. "Artillery Thunder"- cannon firing demonstration near the fort.

12:00 noon "Lest We Forget"- Join the Society of the War of 1812 as they lay a wreath in remembrance of the heroes who paid the ultimate sacrifice to defend the city in1814.

12:20 p.m. "The Burning of Washington and Birth of the Anthem"- Join noted author and journalist Anthony Pitch as he relates the exciting events that led to the writing of "The Star-Spangled Banner."

12:30 p.m. "What Stirring Music!"- Fife & Drum concert in the fort.

1:00 p.m. "Sabers and Horses"- learn how the Americans used cavalry during the War of 1812. Demonstration will involve mounted troops engaging in cavalry tactics of the period.

2:00 p.m. "The Sounds of Battle!"- See how land battles were fought in the War of 1812. Come and watch re-enactors fire cannons and muskets and simulate battle tactics from the early 1800s.

2:30 p.m. "The Burning of Washington and Birth of the Anthem"- Join noted author and journalist Anthony Pitch as he relates the exciting events that led to the writing of "The Star-Spangled Banner."

3:00 p.m. "What Stirring Music!"- Fife & Drum concert in the fort

3:30 p.m. "The Star-Spangled Banner"- Children's author Amy Winstead will read her book "The Star Spangled Banner" - about a boy who watches the Battle of Baltimore as a British prisoner.

3:45 p.m. "Fighting Tops"- See how U.S. Marines fought from the masts of ships during the War of 1812.

4:00 p.m. "What Stirring Music!"- Fife & Drum concert in the fort

4:30 p.m. "Oh Say Can You See . . .?"- Flag Change in the fort.

Sunday, September 11, 2005

10:00 a.m. "Oh Say Can You See . . .?"- Flag raising and dress parade in the fort and a short memorial service to honor heroes of September 11, 2001.

10:30 a.m. "Artillery Thunder"- Cannon Firing Demonstration - near the fort.

11:00 a.m. "Repel all Boarders! "- Watch Sailors and Marines as they defend the great naval guns of the fort.

12:00 p.m. "Amazing Grace"- Sunday service in camp - come and explore the role of religion during the War of 1812.

12:30 p.m. "African-Americans in the War of 1812"- Author/Historian Chris George will give a talk about important contribution of
African-Americans to the War of 1812.

1:00 p.m. "A Deadly Game of Wits"- cutlass drill and dry-fire cannon demonstration

1:30 p.m. "The Star-Spangled Banner"- Children's author Amy Winstead will read her book "The Star Spangled Banner" - about a boy who watches the Battle of Baltimore as a British prisoner.

2:00 p.m. "Artillery Thunder"- cannon firing demonstration near fort.

2:30 p.m. "Hail and Farewell"- Military review in the fort and lowering of the 30'X42' flag.

3:00 p.m. "The Citizen Soldier in the War of 1812"- Historian Ross Kimmel will give an informative talk about the citizen-soldier of the War of 1812.

All activities and times subject to change

09AUG2005