Francis Scott Key wrote the “Star Spangled Banner” as he looked over the Battle of Fort McHenry from a British attack ship. There he saw the American flag waving over the land that was close to destruction.
The battle took place in Baltimore, Md., the same city where deadly riots broke out after young African-American Freddie Gray died of severe spinal cord injuries while in police custody for suspected possession of an illegal switchblade. The police officer, Lt. Brian Rice, was found innocent. Convictions on others were later dropped. It is one of the many recent cases that made national news and contributed to the current people vs police state in this country.