O, Say Can You See. . .

This is Fort McHenry in Baltimore, Maryland:

It is now part of the National Park Service.

Why the picture?

Well, today here in the U.S. we celebrate the Fourth of July, or Independence Day. That marks the day in 1776, when the Declaration of Independence—from Great Britain—was made.

But Fort McHenry’s significance goes to the War of 1812, the U.S. war with. . .Great Britain.

After the Brits burned down the Capitol and White House in late August, 1814, they sailed north to Baltimore. And proceeded to fire on Fort McHenry for more than 24 hours.

It was witnessed by Francis Scott Key. Which led to him writing a poem that was later set to music, “The Star Spangled Banner.”

Which will be sung with gusto throughout the country today.

Who knows: had it all gone wrong, we’d all be driving Jaguars or something today.