About That "Star-Spangled Benner"-- Part 3: After the Battle

Francis Scott Key's "Defence of Fort McHenry" was published in newspapers and then set to music.  The "Star-Spangled Banner" was recognized as the National Anthem in 1931.

Over the years, souvenir seekers snipped away bits of the flag.  This is how the museum in Fayetteville came to get the snippet they have on loan.

The main part of the flag is now in the Smithsonian in Washington, D.C..

The "You're a Grand Old Flag" exhibit opened May 22 and will continue until July 8.

The exhibit also contains a 48-star flag (the one used in World War II) and a 40-star one.  But the scrap of the Fort McHenry flag is drawing the most attraction.

--Brock-Perry