Argument Essay: The American Flag

On September 13th, 1814, the British sent a multitude of bomb shells and rockets onto Fort McHenry in Baltimore Harbor for 25 hours. This grew to be known as the Battle of Baltimore, taking place shortly after the British had attacked Washington, D.C, as they burned the Capitol, the Treasury, and the President's house. This was just another event that took place during the ongoing War of 1812. During this time Francis Scott Key, an american lawyer, was boarded on a flagship on the Chesapeake Bay to testify for a friend who has been arrested by the British. Key watched the bombing take place on Fort McHenry just eight miles from him. The hours passed slowly, and the smoke would only clear for a short while, but on September 14, through the clearing of the smoke, he saw the American flag flying over the fort, ultimately claiming an American victory. As Key watched the bombarding of this War go on right in front of his eyes he wrote down all his thoughts and it was soon published by the Baltimore Patriot newspaper, naming his poem, “The Star-Spangled Banner.”

This American flag is our nation's icon, it represents our country. Our national anthem is a recognition of the history, the traditions, and the struggles of the american people. Our flag represents our freedom as Americans and is supported by our National anthem. We, as Americans, have been granted this freedom from the brave men and women who put on the uniform everyday and serve our country; whether they are in a police uniform, paramedics, firefighters, army, navy, etc. they are serving our country, with the courage that some of us may lack, in order to keep our country safe and ultimately