Skip to main content
Add as a preferred source on Google

Francis Scott Key Goes Back to School at Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine

  • 08/29/14

Free Distance Learning Opportunity Brings the Bicentennial of the National Anthem to Classrooms across the Country

Baltimore — Students and teachers returning to the classroom this month are invited to join a live, once-in-a-lifetime distance learning webcast on Tuesday, September 9 as part of the 200th anniversary celebration of the Star-Spangled Banner. The free, one-hour program will be broadcast live from Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine, site of the 1814 Battle of Baltimore than inspired Francis Scott Key to pen the words that became our National Anthem.

During the webcast, which starts at 12 p.m. EDT, rangers from the National Park Service and historians will discuss everything Star-Spangled Banner and answer student questions submitted during the 60-minute broadcast. Although the program is free, educators are required to register for the electronic field trip at www.starspangledbannerlivingflag.org; click on “Connect” to register. The broadcast will occur as more than 7,000 Maryland students at Fort McHenry will don red, white and blue to form the Star-Spangled Banner Living Flag, the largest ever created.

“The defense of Fort McHenry and the writing of the Star-Spangled Banner are defining moments in our nation’s history, when Americans rich and poor, black and white, male and female, free and enslaved banded together to defend their country’s young democracy,” said Tina Cappetta, superintendent of Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine. “We invite schools worldwide to join in this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity which will connect them with two of our nation’s greatest symbols of freedom and democracy – the American flag and the National Anthem.”

Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley has declared Tuesday, September 9 to be Star-Spangled Banner Living Flag Day in Maryland and governors in several other states across the country have issued similar proclamations.

As a complement to the online program, the website provides educators information on how to create a living flag at their school, plus links to grade-appropriate educational materials for primary and secondary students. The website also includes a wealth of information, including background on the War of 1812, historic photos, and more from the Friends of Fort McHenry, National Park Service, the Maryland War of 1812 Bicentennial Commission, and Maryland Public Television and Star-Spangled 200.

The Star-Spangled Banner Living Flag distance learning program is a joint program of the National Park Service and the Friends of Fort McHenry. Support is provided by the American Flag Foundation, Baltimore City Department of Education Social Studies Division, Baltimore National Heritage Area, EarthCam, Idaho Education Network, Internet2, Living Classrooms Foundation, Maryland War of 1812 Bicentennial Commission, Polycom, Inc., and the Star-Spangled Banner National Historic Trail.

Fort McHenry’s Star-Spangled Banner Living Flag is one of a weeklong series of events celebrating the 200th anniversary of our National Anthem. Star-Spangled Spectacular, a free festival sponsored by Star-Spangled 200, Inc. and the Maryland War of 1812 Bicentennial Commission is hosting a variety of bicentennial activities at other venues throughout Baltimore, including, the Inner Harbor, Martin State Airport and Pier Six Pavilion. For additional information on these and other events, visit www.starspangled200.com

Featured

  • UNL Kiewit Hall

    Designing for Engineering Excellence: Integrating Sustainability and Wellness at UNLs Kiewit Hall

    Kiewit Hall at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln exemplifies how academic institutions can integrate sustainability and wellness into modern learning environments. With an integrated and collaborative team approach, Kiewit Hall addresses enhanced learning and creativity, physical health, and mental wellness, and fosters a sense of community through innovative design, operations, and policy solutions.

  • Stanford Completes Construction on Graduate School of Education Facility

    Stanford University in Stanford, Calif., recently announced the end of construction on a new home for its Graduate School of Education, according to a news release. The university partnered with McCarthy Building Companies on the 160,000-square-foot project, which involved two major renovations and one new construction effort.

  • Illinois District Boosts Security at High-School Stadium

    Richmond-Burton Community High School in Richmond, Ill., recently announced that it has completed the redesigned entrance to its high school stadium with a new focus on school security and community engagement, according to a news release. The district partnered with Wold Architects and Engineers on the project as part of District #157’s year-long facilities master plan.

  • Miami University Approves New $242M Multipurpose Arena

    Miami University in Oxford, Ohio, recently announced that its Board of Trustees has approved construction of a new multipurpose arena at Cook Field, according to university news. The $242-million project will serve as a new centralized hub for student life and create space for economic development on campus.