In September 1814, during the War of 1812, British naval forces launched a relentless bombardment of Fort McHenry in Baltimore Harbor. For 25 grueling hours, approximately 1,800 shells rained down on ...

But Baltimore was defended by Fort McHenry — a star-shaped fort perfectly situated on the Baltimore Harbor. On the morning of September 13, 1814, the British navy attacked the fort for 25 hours.