The Taylor Five

In 1814, Francis Scott Key was being held on a British ship while Fort McHenry was being bombarded.  As a result, he was inspired to write our national anthem.  Not that he knew that’s what it was at the time.

This historical fort is right near downtown Baltimore, so naturally, we chose the hottest day on record* to take the kids there.    It made the period clothes-washing demonstration much more meaningful as the steam from the boiling water and the smoke from the fire mingled with the vapors rising from the ground.  I did it for the kids’ education, you see.

The first stop on this educational outing (after the clothes-washing) was a huge pile of mud.  I guess they just had to deal with mud in 1814.

Then it was on to the original Star-Spangled Banner.  Sort of.

Next it was the bombs of the sort that used to burst in air.

Next the cannons that shot the bombs across the bay.

Our final stop was the bomb shelter that was built after the 1814 attack on the fort.  It was never used, as the fort never came under attack again.  See, look at all that educatin’ goin’ on.

Did I mention that it was hot?  They’re worth it.

*I actually have no idea about the hottest day on record.