The Star-Spangled Banner flew over Fort McHenry during the fierce British bombardment of Baltimore in the War of 1812. As British ships shelled the fort through the night, the survival of that massive American flag signaled that the city—and the nation—had held.

It was this sight that inspired Francis Scott Key to write the poem that would later become America’s national anthem. Together, the flag, the anthem, and the battle they commemorate tell a powerful story of Americans standing together under siege.

The original flag is one of the most important historic artifacts in American history and is preserved today at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, DC.

Interestingly, the flag, the anthem, and even the ideals they represent all have English roots. The original flag was made of English wool, the anthem is set to an English tune, and the liberties Americans defended were long-established English civil rights—rights the founders believed were being denied to them as free Englishmen.

Why Are the Stars “Crooked”?

You may notice the unusual “dancing star” pattern, where the stars are not aligned in straight rows. This matches the original Star-Spangled Banner. At the time, American flag star patterns were not standardized, and makers arranged stars according to personal design choices.

According to Smithsonian records, the flag was made in 1813 by Mary Pickersgill, a professional Baltimore flag maker. She was assisted by her 13-year-old daughter Caroline and two nieces. Because of its enormous size, the flag had to be assembled on the floor of a nearby brewery. The stripes and canton were made of English wool bunting, with cotton stars appliquéd onto the field.

The original flag measured an impressive 30 × 42 feet.

Francis Scott Key’s poem was later set to a well-known English drinking song, becoming the anthem Americans know today—an enduring symbol of unity, resilience, and national identity.

Features:

• Material: Cotton or nylon

• Construction Options:

  • Printed

  • Embroidered stars with sewn stripes

• Heading: Reinforced polyester canvas

• Attachment: Brass grommets for secure hanging

Proudly made in the United States.
This flag is made to order — please allow 7–14 days for delivery.