9-09-2024 12:58pm

DEFENDER'S DAY WKD.

Fort McHenry Celebrates Baltimore’s Strength and Stories with Defenders’ Day Events

BALTIMORE —Join us the weekend of September 13—15th for special Defenders’ Day events commemorating the successful defense of Baltimore against British attack in 1814 and celebrating the stories, strength, and rich cultural diversity of the city. Celebrated since 1815, Defenders’ Day is Baltimore’s oldest holiday and this year’s activities highlight Baltimore’s history as a port city and its strength and unity during the War of 1812, and invite visitors to explore the arts and culture of modern Baltimore communities.

Daytime activities include:

Living History—Fort McHenry comes alive with an encampment and music and weapons demonstrations featuring the Fort McHenry Guard, Chesapeake Independent Blues, Ship’s Company, and U.S. Marine Corps Historical Company. Learn about the lives of soldiers, sailors, and the citizens of Baltimore during the War of 1812!
Ranger Programs—Join a ranger in hoisting the Star-Spangled Banner o’er the ramparts and walk in the footsteps of the Old Defenders to explore the Battle of Baltimore and history of the Star-Spangled Banner!
Baltimore’s Artists and Storytellers— Throughout the day we will feature cultural performances by a variety of local performers. This program was made possible in part by a grant from the National Park Foundation.
- Singing Sensations Youth Choir
- Coppin University Cheer Squad
- Poly/Western Marching Flock
- Dan Meyer Choir
- Native Americas Protectors
- Maryland Academy of Dance
- KeurKhaleyi African Dance and Culture Institutes
- Storytime with Mama Koko (Veteran, Author, Historian, and Storyteller)
The U.S. Army Field Band and Soldiers’ Chorus will perform an evening concert on Saturday.
Fireworks!—Pack your picnic and bring family and friends to enjoy an evening concert in the park with a fireworks finale.

Admission to the grounds of Fort McHenry is FREE. The fee for entrance to the Historic Star Fort is $15 per adult and children under the age of 15 are free.
Additional event information is available at https://www.nps.gov/fomc/planyourvisit/defenders-day.htm

Schedule of Events

Friday, September 13th

Tracing the Trail!
- Join the Fort McHenry Guard at Patterson Park along the Star-Spangled Banner National Historic Trail for living history demonstrations and musical performances to learn about the lives of the soldiers, sailors, and marines who served on Hampstead Hill during the Battle of Baltimore!
7:00 p.m.—Parade!
- Join National Park Service rangers and the fifes and drums of the Fort McHenry Guard as we parade through Locust Point to kick off the weekend!

Saturday, September 14th

10:00 a.m.—Hoist the Colors!
- Join rangers and living historians of the Fort McHenry Guard for the morning flag change and help raise the Star-Spangled Banner o’er the ramparts of the historic star fort!
Tracing the Trail!
- The Fort McHenry Guard and Chesapeake Independent Blues will travel to Todd’s Inheritance in Edgemere , and over to North Point State Park throughout the morning and afternoon for living history demonstrations and commemorations of the service of the “Old Defenders” of 1814.
11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.—Baltimore, 1814
- Learn about the daily lives of men and women throughout Baltimore during the War of 1812. Visit the tavern tent or sutler tent to learn about life in a port city.
11:00 a.m.—Poly/Western Marching Flock performance
11:15 a.m.—"Battle of Baltimore” Ranger Program
- Join rangers for a program about one of the most pivotal battles of the War of 1812. The Battle of Baltimore covers the British attack on the city, an American defense that held against all odds, and the 25-hour bombardment of Fort McHenry that inspired Francis Scott Key to write the Star-Spangled Banner.
11:20a.m.—Storytime with Mama Koko
12:00 p.m.—KeurKhaleyi African Dance & Culture Institutes performance
12:15 p.m.—“The Banner and Beyond” Ranger Program
- Join rangers for this daily program as they talk about the design of the Star-Spangled Banner flag, its relationship to the park, and how we view it today.
1:00 p.m.—Coppin University Cheer Squad performance
1:15 p.m.—Dan Meyer Choir performance
1:15 p.m.—"Battle of Baltimore” Ranger Program
2:00 p.m.—Native Americans Protectors performance
2:15 p.m.—“The Banner and Beyond” Ranger Program
3:00 p.m.—Singing Sensations Youth Choir performance
3:15 p.m.—Maryland Academy of Dance performance
4:00 p.m.— Evening Formation and Raising the Storm Flag
- Join park rangers and the Fort McHenry Guard to raise the storm flag as the Defenders did during the Battle of Baltimore in 1814.
7:00 p.m.—"A Community of Defenders" 1814 to 2024 Evening Concert
- Kick back in your chair or on your picnic blanket and enjoy an evening of music celebrating the service of defenders from 1814 to today. Evening program features a concert by The United States Army Field Band and Soldiers’ Chorus followed by fireworks!

Sunday, September 15th

10:00 a.m.—Hoist the Colors!
- Join rangers and living historians of the Fort McHenry Guard for the morning flag change and help raise the Star-Spangled Banner o’er the ramparts of the historic star fort!
11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.—Baltimore, 1814
- Learn about the daily lives of men and women throughout Baltimore during the War of 1812. Visit the tavern tent or sutler tent to learn about life in a port city.
11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.—The Guns that Won the Battle
- Join living historians from the Fort McHenry Guard, U.S. Marine Corps Historic Company, Ship’s Company, and the Chesapeake Independent Blues to learn about the lives and of soldiers, sailors, and marines and the skills and science used to load and fire artillery and muskets during the War of 1812.
12:00 p.m.—"Roar of the Drums”
- Learn about the lives of musicians during the War of 1812 and enjoy a musical performance by the Fort McHenry Guard Fife and Drum Corps
1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.—"The Guns that Won the Battle” Historic Weapons Demonstrations
4:00 p.m.—Evening Flag Change
- Join rangers to close out the day and reflect on the meaning of the national symbol by bringing down the historic Star-Spangled Banner and raising up the modern 50-star flag of today's generation.

About Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine. During the Battle of Baltimore, September 13 – 14, 1814, the valiant defense of Fort McHenry against the might of the British navy saved Baltimore and inspired Francis Scott Key to write “The Star-Spangled Banner.” Though famous as home of the national anthem, the fort was used continuously in a variety of ways through World War II. Learn more at www.nps.gov/fomc, and on Facebook and Instagram.