Flag Day at Fort McHenry (kind of!)

Monday was Flag Day, so we embarked to downtown Baltimore to go to Fort McHenry! Celebrating Flag Day there is a tradition in Brian's family...they have gone every year for about 17 years! This is the first time that Brian has been home in a while to enjoy it, and we were excited to spend some time with his family.

I'm not sure if the story of Fort McHenry is only familiar to me because of my MD public school education, so for all of you non-Marylanders, here is a quick explanation. During the War of 1812, the British navy tried to infiltrate Baltimore's Inner Harbor, and it was from Fort McHenry that Americans successfully defended against the attack. During the battle, Francis Scott Key was inspired to write "The Star Spangled Banner" when he saw the American flag still waving over the fort. Quite the fitting place to spend Flag Day, right?

It was...until we got there and it was empty. We quickly realized that we had missed the memo that the celebration and fireworks had been moved to Oregon Ridge due to construction on the fort. We decided to picnic at Fort McHenry anyway, and then relocate and catch the  fireworks later on that night. It worked out perfectly!

Us at Fort McHenry

Flag Day festivities at Oregon Ridge

<3

First fireworks of the Summer!

I can't say that I have ever celebrated Flag Day, so my first experience was definitely successful. A great way to get in the mood for the summer season and especially the 4th of July (which happens to be one of my very favorite holidays)!