THIS WEEK IN THE HISTORY OF POETRY

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During the War of 1812, Francis Scott Key, an American poet, author, and lawyer, accompanied by a British Prisoner Exchange Agent, dined aboard a British ship as the guests of British officers. Key was there to negotiate the release of prisoners who had been put under arrest.

Because he was familiar with the strength and position of the British units and with their intent to attack Baltimore, he was not allowed to return to his own vessel after the dinner was over.

As a result, Key was unable to do anything but watch the bombarding of the American forces at Fort McHenry, during the Battle of Baltimore on the night of September 13- 14, 1814.

At dawn, Key was able to see an American flag still waving and reported this to the prisoners below deck. On the way back to Baltimore, he was inspired to write a poem describing his experience, "Defence of Fort M'Henry," which he published in the Patriot on September 20, 1814.

This poem was eventually turned into a song which became known as the "star spangled banner." The song was soon adopted as the American national anthem.
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200 years ago this week                               

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To read more about Francis Scott Key and his poetry, Google search his name.