Baltimore, Maryland, A Singing Salute

Warm up your vocal cords Sept. 12-14 for Star-Spangled Banner Weekend, an annual event commemorating the 1814 bombardment of Fort McHenry and the birth of the US national anthem. On Friday, join re-enactors as they transfer a 30×42-foot replica of the original Star-Spangled Banner from the 1793 home of Mary Pickersgill (now The Star-Spangled Banner Flag House and War of 1812 Museum), where the flag was made, to Fort McHenry, where it flew during the Battle of Baltimore and inspired Francis Scott Key's famous poem. Spend the rest of the weekend watching fireworks and War of 1812 battle re-enactments at Fort McHenry. For event details, contact the Baltimore Area Convention and Visitors Association at (877) 225-8466 or <www.baltimore.org>.