Show flag that inspired national anthem made years ago for ft mchenry THE HE original star spangled banner the hand sewn flag that floated over fort mchenry and gave the united states its anthem is still a national relic preserved in the national museum in washington it will be the center ol of attention next september when the nation cele brates the anniversary ot of its making and ol of francis scott keys masterpiece the immortal anthem was written on september 1814 as key re folded at seeing by the dawns early light that the stars and stripes still waved he had spent the night pacing the deck of a cartel ship and watching a british fleets bombardment ot of the tort fort the flag which continued to wave triumphantly as the attack failed was made by a widow mrs mary young oung Pickers pickersgill gt 1 I of baltimore mrs Pickers gills mother had made the grand union fla flag g under vatch washington had taken coln coin nand of the american army at cambridge mass in when the british invaded chesapeake bay mrs pickersgill was given the task of sewing a flag tor for the fort defending baltimore the order called tor for a mammoth banner 30 by 42 feet because of the size a large floor was necessary for the work the mayor of baltimore edward johnson provided the malting floor of the brewery adjoining his home the walls of the building build bui ldina inre e still standing T the huge flag contained thurwin dred yards of bunting and mrs pickersgill and her daughter caroline with guidance from mrs youn youir worked day and night to complete it after the battle mrs pickersgill Pickers gilS gM embroidered around the holes in the shot torn flag in 1912 the star spangled banner was presented 0 to o the national museum by a descendant of the commanding officer ot of fort mchenry baltimore and the britlon will cear brate the famous flags birthday in september |