As American troops in Fort McHenry successfully fended off attacks from the British navy during the War of 1812, Francis Scott Key was inspired to write "The Star-Spangled Banner, " a poem that eventually formed the lyrics of the American national anthem. Fort McHenry's vibrant presentation and highlighted primary sources illustrate the fort's vital role in the War of 1812, providing the context for the nation's most famous song and explaining the importance of the fort as a national monument.