Star-Spangled Banner National Historic Trail (U.S. National Park Service)

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Welcome to the Star-Spangled Banner National Historic Trail!

Come on a journey to remember and commemorate the dramatic chain of events, people and places that led to the birth of our National Anthem.

The story of the Star-Spangled Banner was shaped by the events of the Chesapeake Campaign during the War of 1812. From February 1813 until February 1815, the Chesapeake Bay was the center of a fierce struggle between the British and Americans.

A New National Historic Trail

Places and landscapes still exist today that provide a touchstone to the past. The trail traces four major events and related sites that figured prominently in the Chesapeake Campaign of the War of 1812 that have national significance, physical integrity, and the potential for contemporary recreation and/or interpretation.

The Battle for the Patuxent highlights the Battles for Saint Leonard’s Creek and the start of the 1814 Chesapeake Campaign.

The British Campaign for Washington covers the land and water routes used by the British and Americans to attack and defend the capital in 1814.

The Battle for Baltimore and Birth of the Anthem traces the British land advance on the city, the Battle of North Point, defenses at Hampstead Hill, Bombardment of Fort McHenry and Key’s inspiration to write "The Star-Spangled Banner."

Raids, Feints and Diversions explores the numerous British raids on small towns, tobacco ports and skirmishes with American militia during the Chesapeake campaign.

Joshua Barney, commander of the Chesapeake Bay Flotilla

People and Stories of the Star-Spangled Banner Trail

Learn more about the people who played a role in the 1814 Chesapeake Campaign of the War of 1812. Some you may have heard of, and others may be lesser-known figures who greatly influenced the outcomes of the conflict.

		The Chesapeake Campaign of the War of 1812 Read more about the Chesapeake Campaign of the War of 1812, including the assault on Washington, DC, the Battle of Bladensburg, the burning of the White House, and the Battle for Baltimore.

Write to

National Park Service
410 Severn Avenue, Suite 314
Annapolis, MD 21403

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Phone

Phone
(410) 260-2470

Fax

(410) 263-2137

Climate

The Chesapeake region, which includes Maryland, Virginia, and the District of Columbia, tends to be hot and humid during summer, temperate in the fall and late spring, and cold in winter.