The Fort McHenry National Monument is a famous historical landmark in the city of Baltimore. The fort defended Baltimore Harbor in the War of 1812. This historic icon is the birthplace of the American National Anthem, which was written by Francis Scott Key. Student groups will enjoy seeing this well-known site. During your student group visit to Fort McHenry, you may want to take part in one of the ranger programs. The Daily Flag Change program is offered to student groups of all ages. During the event, guests will learn information about the variety of flags at Fort McHenry. The program lasts 15 minutes. For students in grades K-2, there is an interesting interactive activity known as Life of the Soldier. The group will have the opportunity to examine the contents of a soldier’s haversack. The students will also study a replica of a soldier’s uniforms. Group members will discover what life was like for a soldier involved in the War of 1812. There are also activities for the older students. The Battle of Baltimore is one of these interactive programs. During the presentation, you will learn about the other phases of the battle and the War of 1812. These are events that Francis Scott Key did not witness. Another interesting presentation is known as “Fort McHenry Through the Ages.” The fort had a military presence from the Revolutionary War to World War II. Students will explore uses of the fort throughout its fascinating history. Fort McHenry also contains a museum and a gift shop for you to explore. Groups may also wish to take a self-guided tour of the property. You will see a few interesting exhibits along the way. Tours last 30 minutes.