Happy birthday America!

Today as we celebrate our nation's birthday day I'd like to share a wonderful historic site Fort McHenry located in Baltimore MD. This structure & its history is the inspiration behind our national anthem.

O say can you see, by the dawn’s early light,” a large red, white and blue banner? “Whose broad stripes and bright stars . . . were so gallantly streaming!” over the star-shaped Fort McHenry during the Battle of Baltimore, September 13-14, 1814. The valiant defense of the fort by 1,000 dedicated Americans inspired Francis Scott Key to write “The Star-Spangled Banner.”

The fort brings our history alive with it's exhibits and living history presentations. A don't miss is their informational video that has a sensational ending. You'll just have to visit this national shrine to discover the ending for yourself.

There is plenty to see and do in the Baltimore area but I'll save that for later.

For a virtual tour of Ft. McHenry visit http://www.nps.gov/fomc/index.htm.