By BRETT ZONGKER
Associated Press
WASHINGTON (AP) – If you happen to come across woven wool remnants in red, white or blue marked Fort McHenry in your attic, a group of curators would like to know.
Two hundred years after a massive American flag was hoisted over Baltimore’s fort in victory over the British, Americans still may have fragments of the original Star-Spangled Banner.
Shortly after the huge flag was unfurled and inspired Francis Scott Key’s poem that became the national anthem, the flag was loved so much its caretakers began snipping off pieces to give away as keepsakes.
Now as Maryland celebrates Defenders’ Day on Friday and America’s victory over the British 200 years ago Sunday, the anniversary has prompted two families within the last year to inquire whether their flag fragments might have historical value.
Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
