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NPS/Tim Ervin
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Contact: Shannon McLucas, 443-691-3002
BALTIMORE—Join us September 15th—17th to commemorate Defenders’ Day which honors the successful defense of the city from British attack in 1814. Celebrated since 1815, Defenders’ Day is Baltimore’s oldest holiday. The National Park Service and its partners invite visitors to explore the history of Baltimore’s diverse community of defenders by learning about the daily lives and experiences of soldiers, sailors, and civilians who came together to defend their city in 1814, and those who continue to support their local and national communities today.
Highlights
- Free Saturday evening program of musical performances by U.S. Army Field Band, spectacular fireworks display!
- Fun Family Activities—Experience living history at military and civilian encampments showing life during 1814 featuring fife and drum, military drills, musket and cannon firings. Family-oriented activities include a morning formation, children’s programs, and raising of the Star-Spangled Banner flag over the fort.
Event information is available at: https://www.nps.gov/fomc/planyourvisit/defenders-day.htm
Schedule of Events
Friday, September 15
7:00 p.m.—Parade!
Join National Park Service rangers and the fifes and drums of the Fort McHenry Guard as we parade through Locust Point to kick off the weekend!
Saturday, September 16
10:00 a.m.—Hoist the Colors!
Join rangers and living historians of the Fort McHenry Guard for the morning flag change and help raise the Star-Spangled Banner o’er the ramparts of the historic star fort!
12:00 p.m.—Roar of the Drums
Experience the sounds of the fort of 1814 as the Fort McHenry Guard Fife & Drum Corps will perform field music and calls from the War of 1812.
1: 00 p.m.—3:45 p.m.—Explore Stories of Defenders Past and Present
Celebrate Baltimore’s heroes past and present with living history, War of 1812 weapons demonstrations, a timeline of soldier’s life by the 1-175th Infantry Regiment, Maryland Army National Guard, and musical performances by “The Adjutant General’s Own” 229th Army Band of the Maryland National Guard.
- Cannon and musket demonstrations on East Lawn at 1:00 p.m., 2:00 p.m., and 3:00 p.m.
- Musical Performances on Orpheus Stage at 1:15 p.m., 2:15 p.m., and 3:15 p.m.
4:00 p.m.—Evening Formation and Raising the Storm Flag
Join park rangers and the Fort McHenry Guard to raise the storm flag as the Defenders did during the Battle of Baltimore in 1814.
6:30 p.m.—Defenders’ Day: Heroes Past and Present
Kick back in your chair or on your picnic blanket and enjoy an evening of music celebrating the service of defenders from 1814 to today. Evening program features:
- U.S. Army Enlistment Ceremony
- Concert by The United States Army Field Band
Sunday, September 17
10:00 a.m.—Hoist the Colors!
Join rangers and living historians of the Fort McHenry Guard for the morning flag change and help raise the Star-Spangled Banner o’er the ramparts of the historic star fort!
11:00 a.m.—War in the Chesapeake
Explore the history of the 1813-1814 Chesapeake Campaign that brought terror and destruction to small towns such as Havre de Grace and Fredericktown, culminated in the burning of Washington D.C. and the bombardment of Fort McHenry inspiring the creation of the Star-Spangled Banner.
1:00 p.m.— History of the Star-Spangled Banner
The American flag is a major national symbol today, in part, because of the events that occurred at Fort McHenry. Join rangers for this daily program as they talk about the design of the Star-Spangled Banner flag, its relationship to the park, and how we view it today.
5:00 p.m.—Evening Flag Change
Join rangers to close out the day and reflect on the meaning of the national symbol by bringing down the historic Star-Spangled Banner and raising up the modern 50-star flag of today’s generation.
-NPS-
About the National Park Service. More than 20,000 National Park Service employees care for America's over 420 national parks and work with communities across the nation to help preserve local history and create close-to-home recreational opportunities. Learn more at www.nps.gov, and on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube.
Last updated: August 14, 2023