Some of the personalities of the War of 1812: Francis Scott Key & Dolley Madison

First Lady Dolley Madison –To this day she remains one of the best known and best loved ladies of the White House –happy personality & warm heart –Famous for her social graces, she was blessed with a desire to please and a willingness to be pleased, she made her home the center of society when Madison was Jefferson's Secretary of State

Dolley Madison, depicted with the canvas of George Washington, salvaged in the final moments before the White house was lit ablaze by the British. In the final moments…

The Burning of the White House

A national treasure, salvaged… White House timber burned in the fire of 1814 This charred timber, discovered during renovations in 1950, is believed to have survived the burning of the presidential mansion by the British during the War of 1812.

The Star Spangled Banner The Star-Spangled Banner, 1814 The flag that flew over Fort McHenry during the British attack on Baltimore in the War of Major Armistead, the commander of the fort, took the flag home with him after the battle, and for the next century he and his family were the flag's caretakers. They displayed it at patriotic events, cut small pieces from the flag to give as presents, and even sewed an A (presumably for Armistead) onto it.

Francis Scott Key Held captive 8 miles away as Fort McHenry (near Baltimore) was attacked by the British Held captive 8 miles away as Fort McHenry (near Baltimore) was attacked by the British Attorney Attorney Penned the poem that became “The Star Spangled Banner” Penned the poem that became “The Star Spangled Banner”

Francis Scott Key Key was there to negotiate the release of an American captive, detained himself aboard a ship as Fort McHenry was bombarded September Not adopted as the US National Anthem until March 3, 1931 Originally titled “Defense of Fort M’Henry” Key went on to a successful law career, later becoming District Attorney for Washington, DC

Fort McHenry