The national anthem, famous for its opening line “O say can you see by the dawn’s early light,” was written in 1814 by Francis Scott Key, a lawyer. During the height of the War of 1812, the American flag flying over Fort McHenry in Baltimore, just outside Washington, D.C., miraculously withstood an all-night bombardment and proudly waved in the morning sunlight. This inspiring sight moved Key to spontaneously compose the poem that later became the national anthem.
Key’s poem was published in newspapers and quickly spread throughout the United States. It began to be sung to the melody of “To Anacreon in Heaven,” a popular song in taverns at the time. Prior to that, America did not have an official national anthem, and songs like “Let Freedom Ring” and “Hail Columbia” were sung to the melody of the British national anthem. However, on March 3, 1931, Key’s “The Star-Spangled Banner” was officially adopted as the national anthem.
Now, let’s explore the memorial park dedicated to the creator of the national anthem, Francis Scott Key.
A quaint park along the Potomac River in Georgetown
The memorial park is located in Georgetown, a western neighborhood of Washington, D.C. To reach the park, head west on M Street, Georgetown’s main street, and four blocks from Wisconsin Avenue, you’ll find a small park on the left side, which was once the residence of Francis Scott Key. The entrance to the park is marked as “Francis Scott Key Park Star-Spangled Banner Monument.”
Within the park, you’ll find pavilions that showcase the history behind the creation of the national anthem and details about Francis Scott Key’s life. In the center, there is a statue of Key, and a nylon flag with 15 stars and stripes, representing the design from 1814, is proudly displayed.
A hidden gem not often featured in guidebooks
Although Georgetown is mentioned in Japanese guidebooks about Washington, D.C., the Key memorial park is often not included in their coverage. While it may appear on the map, guidebooks tend to allocate pages to trendy shops and attractions, leading most tourists to visit other areas. As a result, the Key memorial park remains relatively quiet, making it a lesser-known gem within Washington, D.C.
Don’t miss Key Bridge and the Arlington skyline view
After visiting the memorial park, it is recommended to cross the adjacent bridge to Virginia and enjoy the view of Key Bridge and Georgetown’s skyline. From the Virginia side, you can observe a modern skyline with high-rise buildings, showcasing a different atmosphere from the city center.
Two contrasting neighborhoods blend history and modernity
Georgetown, a historical town with trendy shops and the Francis Scott Key Memorial Park, exists side by side with the sophisticated and modern area across the river. While not as popular as other tourist spots, taking the time to explore these distinct neighborhoods can be a rewarding experience, away from the hustle and bustle of crowded places.
National Anthem – “The Star-Spangled Banner”
O say can you see, by the dawn’s early light,
What so proudly we hailed at the twilight’s last gleaming,
Whose broad stripes and bright stars through the perilous fight,
O’er the ramparts we watched, were so gallantly streaming?
And the rockets’ red glare, the bombs bursting in air,
Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there;
O say does that star-spangled banner yet wave
O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave?
Georgetown, located within the city of Washington D.C., offers numerou...
