Defenders Day (Maryland) facts for kids

Defenders Day is a special holiday celebrated every year on September 12 in Maryland, especially in the city of Baltimore and Baltimore County. It remembers a very important event from the War of 1812. On September 12-14, 1814, the people of Baltimore successfully defended their city from a British attack.

This victory inspired Francis Scott Key to write a poem. This poem later became "The Star-Spangled Banner", which is now the national anthem of the United States.

Why We Celebrate Defenders Day: The War of 1812

In September 1814, during the War of 1812, British forces had just burned Washington, D.C.. Their next target was Baltimore. A British army, led by Major General Robert Ross, landed near Baltimore. They began marching towards the city.

The American defenders were ready. Major General Samuel Smith was in charge of Baltimore's defenses. He sent Brigadier General John Stricker and his Maryland militia to meet the British. This led to the Battle of North Point.

The American militia fought bravely. They slowed down the British advance. This gave Baltimore more time to prepare its defenses. The British army had to stop overnight to care for their injured soldiers.

The Battle of Baltimore and the National Anthem

While the land battle was happening, the British Royal Navy attacked Fort McHenry in Baltimore Harbor. They shelled the fort for two days. The American soldiers inside the fort refused to give up.

Francis Scott Key, a lawyer from Frederick, watched the battle from a ship. He was inspired by the sight of the American flag still flying over Fort McHenry after the long bombardment.

Key wrote a poem called "The Defence of Fort McHenry." A few days later, it was set to music. This song became "The Star-Spangled Banner." In 1931, it was officially named the national anthem of the United States.

How Defenders Day Celebrations Changed Over Time

After the War of 1812, people in Maryland began celebrating Defenders Day. At first, celebrations focused on two main things: the Battle of North Point and the "The Star-Spangled Banner" at Fort McHenry.

Early celebrations often involved picnics at the battlefield. Later, the whole city of Baltimore joined in with parades and speeches.

The cannons of Ft. McHenry guarding Baltimore harbor

The "Old Defenders" and Early Parades

For many years, the celebrations centered around the "Old Defenders." These were the veterans who had fought in the Battle of North Point. Many of them became important leaders in Baltimore.

The celebrations often started with speeches at Baltimore's Battle Monument. This monument honors the city's defense. After the speeches, militia units would march. Sometimes they marched to the North Point battlefield. Other times, they took a boat trip down the Patapsco River.

At the battlefield, the militia units would often have a "sham battle." This was a pretend battle to show what happened during the real fight. They would then march to Hampstead Hill (now Patterson Park). This was where the final defenses stopped the British.

Sadly, sometimes more militia members got sick from heat or exhaustion during these long marches than died in the actual battle. There were even occasional accidents with muskets during the pretend battles.

Monuments and Memories

Many monuments from the War of 1812 still stand in Baltimore. The city is even called "The Monumental City." This name was given by President John Quincy Adams in 1827.

One important monument honors two soldiers, Daniel Wells and Henry McComas. They were credited with killing the British Major General Robert Ross. In 1858, their bodies were moved to a special monument site in Ashland Square. Thousands of people visited their coffins before the monument's cornerstone was laid.

Today, the Wells and McComas Monument is used as a symbol by the Baltimore County Sheriff's Office.

Defenders Day During the Civil War Era

American Civil War reenactment at Fort McHenry

Leading up to the American Civil War, there were tensions in the country. In September 1860, there was a plan for a local militia group to take over Fort McHenry. The fort was mostly empty at the time.

However, another militia group, loyal to the Union, found out about the plan. They secretly rowed to the fort the night before Defenders Day and occupied it. When the first group arrived, they found the fort already taken. This led to a peaceful standoff, and the group left without fighting.

During the Civil War, the "Old Defenders" decided to focus the holiday more on Fort McHenry. They wanted to help heal the divisions caused by the war. They reminded people that soldiers from different states had come together to defend Baltimore in 1814.

20th Century and Today's Celebrations

Members of the 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment participating in a Defenders Day performance at Fort McHenry, 2019

In the early 1900s, Fort McHenry became a park. It was later used as a military hospital during World War I. After the war, it was restored as a park. A statue called "Orpheus with the Awkward Foot" was placed there. This helped make Fort McHenry the main focus of Defenders Day.

The biggest celebration was in 1914. This was the 100th anniversary of the "Star-Spangled Banner." There were parades, fireworks, and even a "Living Flag" display made by thousands of schoolchildren.

Over time, the celebrations became less popular. But in the 1980s and 1990s, Defenders Day began to be widely celebrated again. This was thanks to the National Park Service and volunteer reenactors at Fort McHenry. They brought new life to the holiday. Even Baltimore's mayor, Martin O'Malley, dressed in a War of 1812 officer's uniform for reenactments. He even wrote songs about the "Battle of Baltimore."

Defenders Day continues to be an important day in Maryland. It reminds everyone of the brave defense of Baltimore and the birth of the national anthem.