View National Anthem's Original Manuscript In MD State House

ANNAPOLIS, MD — Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan joined legislative leaders and cabinet officials Monday to celebrate the arrival of Francis Scott Key’s original manuscript of “The Star-Spangled Banner” at the Maryland State House.

March 3 marks the 89th anniversary of the official adoption of Key’s words as the national anthem. Tuesday, for one day only and for the first time in state history, visitors to the Maryland State House can view the manuscript alongside the original copy of the speech given by General George Washington when he resigned his commission as commander-in-chief of the Continental Army on December 23, 1783.

“As America marks the 89th anniversary of Francis Scott Key's words officially becoming our national anthem, it is very fitting that this treasured manuscript will be displayed in this historic place,” said Hogan in a statement. “So many of Francis Scott Key’s formative years were spent on these very streets and in the historic buildings that surround us now. In so many ways, bringing this manuscript to Annapolis is a homecoming that is 206 years in the making.”

The 1814 manuscript was handwritten by Francis Scott Key, a lawyer and author from Frederick, Maryland, after he observed the British bombardment of Fort McHenry during the War of 1812. Due to its fragility, the manuscript rarely leaves the Maryland Historical Society in Baltimore.
The Maryland State House is open to the public from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. every day, with the exception of Christmas and New Year’s Day.