<Ul> <Li> file </Li> <Li> help </Li> </Ul> <Tr> <Td_colspan="2"> <Ul> <Li> </Li> <Li> </Li> <Li> </Li> </Ul> </Td> </Tr> <Ul> <Li> </Li> <Li> </Li> <Li> </Li> </Ul> <P> "The Star - Spangled Banner" is the national anthem of the United States of America . The lyrics come from "Defence of Fort M'Henry", a poem written on September 14, 1814, by the 35 - year - old lawyer and amateur poet Francis Scott Key after witnessing the bombardment of Fort McHenry by British ships of the Royal Navy in Baltimore Harbor during the Battle of Baltimore in the War of 1812 . Key was inspired by the large American flag, the Star - Spangled Banner, flying triumphantly above the fort during the American victory . </P>

Francis scott key story of star spangled banner