Five Minute Histories: Francis Scott Key Buoy

With July 4th just around the corner, we thought what better time than now to talk about the Francis Scott Key Buoy?! This buoy is a 3500-lb marker that the Coast Guard sets out each year at about the spot where Key watched the 1814 bombardment of Fort McHenry. The American victory over the British inspired Key to pen the “Star-Spangled Banner,” now our national anthem. Join Johns on the Coast Guard boat setting out the buoy and watch until the end to see the big splash into the water! Have a safe holiday weekend and we’ll see you again next week.
This is our series called "Five Minute Histories." We record short videos about different historic places all over Baltimore and post them on our Facebook page, UA-cam channel, and website. For more information or to become a member of Baltimore Heritage, check out: baltimoreherit...

[@genmetzger7445]

So so enjoy all these wonderful history lessons about my state.

[@shelleyevans6195]

This was news to me. I lived in Maryland for 18 years and worked in Baltimore for several of them but never knew about the buoy. Thank you!

[@michaelbrand8279]

Same here! (I lived near Baltimore in Laurel for 17 years, and this is the first that I've heard about this FSK Buoy!)

[@johnwalther2472]

fascinating!

[@lindafoster1703]

Thank you for taking us along on this ride- Your photography was almost as good as being there- especially the recording at the end.

[@baltimoreheritage1006]

Thank you for watching!

[@michelehumphrey852]

Thank you for taking us along for this amazing experience. I live in Frederick, Maryland and highly recommend visiting the FSK gravesite at Mount Olivet cemetery. The national anthem plays there as well.

[@michaelbrand8279]

I've been there! He had a law office in Frederick, didn't he? (I used to live in Laurel, and I always enjoyed visiting Frederick!)

[@michelehumphrey852]

@@michaelbrand8279 He did have a law office here. I love living here. So much history.

[@michaelbrand8279]

@@michelehumphrey852 Agreed! I also liked the breweries, distilleries, & restaurants, and, of course, the monthly First Saturday events!

[@DavidEllisFilm]

It's OK for Five minute Histories to run longer when covering live history in "almost real-time".

[@baltimoreheritage1006]

Thank you--we think so too :)