Francis Scott Key, aboard a British ship negotiating the release of American prisoners, witnesses the bombardment of Fort McHenry by the British Navy. As the "rockets' red glare" and "bombs bursting in air" light up the night sky, he watches in awe as the American flag still waves above the fort, a symbol of defiance and resistance. Inspired by this brazen display of patriotism, Key pens the poem "Defence of Fort McHenry", which later becomes the US national anthem, "The Star-Spangled Banner". This pivotal moment in the War of 1812 marks a turning point in American history, as the British failure to capture Baltimore galvanizes American spirit and solidarity.