I stood by the unassuming but historically rich Ft. McHenry which since 1798 has rested on a peninsula in Baltimore's Inner Harbour. The warm summer air peacefully embraced me, held me as I pondered a fundamental question that many at home and around the world are asking: where is America headed?

It was here at Ft. McHenry in 1814 that one of the most iconic moments in American history occurred. British forces commenced an unrelenting 25-hour bombardment of the fort to capture Baltimore, a vital seaport, and gain control of its harbour in the War of 1812.

Witnessing the attack was a prominent American lawyer and poet named Frances Scott Key. Key was there on a special mission with Colonel John Skinner to negotiate the release of Dr. William Beane who had been captured by the British. Key had achieved that goal, but was held by the British with Beane on a ship while the bombardment was going on.

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