Public invited to celebrate Maryland’s oldest continuously celebrated holiday “Defenders’ Day” & the 100th Anniversary of “Armistice Day” ending World War I

The public is invited to celebrate Maryland’s oldest, continuously celebrated holiday “Defenders’ Day” and the 100^th Anniversary of “Armistice Day” ending World War I during the STAR-SPANGLED BANNER WEEKEND September 14-16! This

weekend commemorates Defenders’ Day, Baltimore’s oldest holiday, which honors the successful defense of the city from British attack and the writing of the National

Anthem in 1814! Celebrated continuously each year since 1814!

Highlights include:

• Large fireworks display, symbolic ship-to-shore “bombardment,” and living history programs! Saturday Evening program featuring a Patriotic Performance by the US Army 3^d Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard) and a concert by the U.S. Army Band “Pershing’s Own”.
• This year marks the 100^th anniversary of “Armistice Day” marking the end of the “Great War” as World War I was known. There will be a special WWI living history encampment that includes a “hospital” alongside the War of 1812 encampment.
• Fort McHenry was used as a major hospital for returning soldiers during World War I. Over 32,000 injured soldiers were treated at the Fort, where many new technologies were developed to help those who lost limbs or were blinded by mustard gas in the trenches of WWI. There’s a special exhibit in the Visitor Center with items from this time when there was a huge hospital with many buildings and tents to treat wounded soldiers – panoramic photos depict the scope of the Fort as a hospital.

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 14

• Friday evening at 7:00 p.m. – Parade! The Fort McHenry Guard and otherliving historians along with a contingent of National Park Service Rangers in their distinctive “green & gray” will muster at the foot of Hull Street in Locust Point and parade a replica of the “Star-Spangled Banner” flag from Hull Street to Fort Avenue to Fort McHenry. Local residents and visitors will be invited to “find their park” by cheering the procession and waving flags as they pass by. The park's main entrance gates close at 5 p.m.

SATURDAY AND SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 15 & 16

• Fun Activities! Fort McHenry comes alive! Events include a large World War I living history encampment with hospital tent and 1814-style military encampment featuring drills, cooking demonstrations, and musket firing. Family-oriented activities include a dress parade, children’s programs, cannon firing, and raising of the giant 30 x 42-foot Star-Spangled Banner flag over the star-shaped Fort.
• Children’s Programs! All weekend long, children entering the Star Fort's 1814 barracks have the opportunity to try on replica historic clothing and also be able to “enlist” as a soldier of the War of 1812 and even experience a bit of a soldier’s life by learning authentic drill commands by using wooden muskets. Children will also have the opportunity to participate in active games common in the early 19^th century!
• Saturday, Sept. 15 Evening Program Begins at 5 p.m.
• Special Performance by active-duty Soldiers from The U.S. Army Band “Pershing’s Own” and the 3^dU.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard)! They uniquely blend traditional military customs and courtesies with live-action pageantry that showcases military discipline, historical reenactments, and traditional and modern music. This 45 minute patriotic journey captures 243 years of the Army’s history spanning across generations of men and women who have answered the call to uphold America’s freedom and democracy on the Fort McHenry ground.
• Saturday, Sept. 15 at 6:30 p.m.: Patriotic Music, War of 1812 Battle Reenactment, Ship-to-Shore “Bombardment”, Fireworks! Honors the bravery of the men and women of Baltimore during both the War of 1812 and World War I! The evening continues with greetings by public dignitaries and music of the Fort McHenry Guard Fife & Drum Corps. The U.S. Army Band “Pershing’s Own” will perform Tchaikovsky’s “Overture 1812” alongside patriotic favorites by John Philip Sousa featuring The U.S. Army Concert Band, Chorus and Herald Trumpets. The performance will conclude with a bang – literally! The 3^d U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard) Presidential Salute Battery will fire 75mm blank shells with one-and-a half pounds of gunpowder. As dusk settles, a symbolic ship-to-shore bombardment will take place as pyrotechnic “bombs” are fired over the fort. The evening program concludes with the singing of the National Anthem and a 20-minute fireworks display. The evening program is free! Sign Language Interpreters will be provided. Patrons are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and blankets for a memorable evening!

Park Event Hours: Friday 9/14: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m., Saturday 9/15 9 a.m. – 9 p.m. and Sunday 9/16 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Park Admission: Admission to enter the Star Fort is $15 per adult (age 16 and up). The Visitor Center film, exhibits and grounds are free. Children age 15 and under are free. The Saturday evening program is free starting at 4 p.m.

FOR MORE INFORMATION: www.nps.gov/fomc

**For everyone’s safety and security, all packages are subject to inspection **

About Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine: During the Battle of Baltimore, September 13 – 14, 1814, the valiant defense of the star-shaped Fort McHenry against the might of the British navy inspired Francis Scott Key to write “The Star-Spangled Banner.” The 15 broad stripes and 15 bright stars still fly over the Fort twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. The Fort was used continuously in a variety of ways through WWII. Most famous as the birthplace of our National Anthem, many special activities are planned at the Fort throughout 2018 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Armistice Day ending World War I. 2400 E. Fort Ave., Baltimore, Maryland 21230 www.nps.gov/fomc Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/FtMcHenryNPS Twitter: @FortMcHenryNPS