News Release

Fort McHenry Celebrates Defenders’ Day and 100 Years as Baltimore’s Hometown National Park

Learn about Fort McHenry's generations of Defenders.

NPS/Tim Ervin

News Release Date: August 27, 2025

Contact: Shannon McLucas, 443-691-3002

BALTIMORE —Join us the weekend of September 12—14 for special Defenders’ Day events commemorating the successful defense of Baltimore against British attack in 1814 and the generations of defenders who served at Fort McHenry and who fought to preserve Fort McHenry as a national park in 1925. Celebrated since 1815, Defenders’ Day is Baltimore’s oldest holiday and this year’s activities will explore the dedication and bravery of Fort McHenry’s from the American Revolution to the 20^th century.

Activities include:

• Living History—Fort McHenry comes alive with an encampment, music, games, and weapons demonstrations featuring the Fort McHenry Guard, Chesapeake Independent Blues, and Ship’s Company. Learn about the lives of soldiers, sailors, and the citizens of Baltimore during the War of 1812!
• Ranger Talks—Join a ranger in hoisting the Star-Spangled Banner o’er the ramparts and explore the stories of generations of Americans who served at Fort McHenry and those 20th century defenders who fought to preserve it as a national monument for all to enjoy.

Admission to the grounds of Fort McHenry is FREE. The fee for entrance to the Historic Star Fort is $15 per adult and children under the age of 15 are free.

Event information is available at: https://www.nps.gov/fomc/planyourvisit/defenders-day.htm

Schedule of Events

Friday, September 12th

• Tracing the Trail! —Join the Fort McHenry Guard at Patterson Park along the Star-Spangled Banner National Historic Trail for living history demonstrations and musical performances to learn about the lives of the soldiers, sailors, and marines who served on Hampstead Hill during the Battle of Baltimore!

• 10:00 a.m.—Hoist the Colors! —Join rangers and living historians of the Fort McHenry Guard for the morning flag change and help raise the Star-Spangled Banner o’er the ramparts of the historic star fort!

• 11:15 a.m. Defenders Through the Ages—This year, Fort McHenry celebrates its 100th anniversary as a National Park Service site! On this program we'll explore the many defenders of Fort McHenry, from those who protected Baltimore and inspired the writing of "The Star-Spangled Banner" during the War of 1812, to the U.S. soldiers who preserved the Union during the Civil War, to those who led the movement to preserve Fort McHenry as a national park in the early 20th century. 

• 4:00 p.m.—Evening Flag Change Join rangers to close out the day and reflect on the meaning of the national symbol by bringing down the historic Star-Spangled Banner and raising up the modern 50-star flag of today's generation.

• 7:00 p.m.—Parade! Join National Park Service rangers and the fifes and drums of the Fort McHenry Guard as we parade through Locust Point to kick off the weekend!

Saturday, September 13th

• 10:00 a.m.—Hoist the Colors! —Join rangers and living historians of the Fort McHenry Guard for the morning flag change and help raise the Star-Spangled Banner o’er the ramparts of the historic star fort!

• 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. (ongoing)—Baltimore, 1814—Explore the daily lives of men and women throughout Baltimore during the War of 1812 with living historians from the Fort McHenry Guard. Visit the tavern tent or sutler tent to learn about life in a port city.

• 11:15 a.m. “Defenders Through the Ages” Ranger Program—This year, Fort McHenry celebrates its 100th anniversary as a National Park Service site! On this program we'll explore the many defenders of Fort McHenry, from those who protected Baltimore and inspired the writing of "The Star-Spangled Banner" during the War of 1812, to the U.S. soldiers who preserved the Union during the Civil War, to those who led the movement to preserve Fort McHenry as a national park in the early 20th century. 

• 12:00 p.m.—"Roar of the Drums”—Enjoy a musical performance by the Fort McHenry Guard Fife and Drum Corps and hear the music and calls that woke, directed, and inspired the defenders of Fort McHenry through the generations.

• 1:15 p.m. “Defenders Through the Ages” Ranger Program

• 2:00 p.m.—The Guns that Won the Battle—Join living historians from the Fort McHenry Guard, Ship’s Company, and the Chesapeake Independent Blues to learn about the lives and of soldiers, sailors, and marines and the skills and science used to load and fire artillery and muskets during the War of 1812.

• 4:00 p.m.—Final Formation and Evening Flag Change—Join rangers and the Fort McHenry Guard to close out the day and reflect on the meaning of the national symbol by bringing down the historic Star-Spangled Banner and raising up the modern 50-star flag of today's generation.

• 5:00 p.m.—"Battle of Baltimore” Join a park ranger on a guided walk to the star fort to explore the stories of Baltimore’s Defenders whose determination and dedication inspired the writing of “The Star-Spangled Banner.”

• 8:05 p.m.—Fireworks!—Pack your picnic basket and bring family and friends to enjoy an evening in the park as the Friends of Fort McHenry and the city of Baltimore celebrate Defenders’ Day with a fireworks display.

Sunday, September 14th

• 10:00 a.m.—Hoist the Colors! —Join rangers and living historians of the Fort McHenry Guard for the morning flag change and help raise the Star-Spangled Banner o’er the ramparts of the historic star fort!

• 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.—Baltimore, 1814—Learn about the daily lives of men and women throughout Baltimore during the War of 1812. Visit the tavern tent or sutler tent to learn about life in a port city.

• 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.—The Guns that Won the Battle—Join living historians from the Fort McHenry Guard, Ship’s Company, and the Chesapeake Independent Blues to learn about the lives and of soldiers, sailors, and marines and the skills and science used to load and fire artillery and muskets during the War of 1812.

• 12:00 p.m.—"Roar of the Drums” —Learn about the lives of musicians during the War of 1812 and enjoy a musical performance by the Fort McHenry Guard Fife and Drum Corps.

• 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.—"The Guns that Won the Battle” Historic Weapons Demonstrations—Join living historians from the Fort McHenry Guard, Ship’s Company, and the Chesapeake Independent Blues to learn about the lives and of soldiers, sailors, and marines and the skills and science used to load and fire artillery and muskets during the War of 1812. Demonstrations continue throughout the afternoon.

• 4:00 p.m.—Evening Flag Change—Join rangers to close out the day and reflect on the meaning of the national symbol by bringing down the historic Star-Spangled Banner and raising up the modern 50-star flag of today's generation.

# # #

About Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine. During the Battle of Baltimore, September 13 – 14, 1814, the valiant defense of Fort McHenry against the might of the British navy saved Baltimore and inspired Francis Scott Key to write “The Star-Spangled Banner.” Though famous as home of the national anthem, the fort was used continuously in a variety of ways through World War II. Learn more at  www.nps.gov/fomc, and on Facebook and Instagram.