September 1814. British ships pounded Fort McHenry through the night. Rockets arced across the sky, explosions lit Baltimore Harbor. At dawn, through the smoke, the flag still flew. Torn, battered, but standing. That sight moved Francis Scott Key to write the words we sing today: “the flag was still there.” It wasn’t just a banner. It was defiance made visible. Proof that America, even under fire from the world’s greatest navy, refused to bow. That’s why the anthem still matters. It’s not just a song. It’s a reminder: no matter the bombardment, America endures. #USHistory #Patriotism #Military