The Star-Spangled Banner’s impressive scale (about one-fourth the size of a modern basketball court) reflects its purpose as a garrison flag. Each star is about two feet in diameter, each stripe about 24 inches wide. The larger of these two flags would become known as the “Star-Spangled Banner.” Pickersgill stitched it from a combination of dyed English wool bunting (red and white stripes and blue union) and white cotton (stars). She was hired under a government contract and was assisted by her daughter, two nieces, and an indentured African-American girl. Armistead commissioned Mary Pickersgill, a Baltimore flag maker, to sew two flags for the fort: a smaller storm flag (17 by 25 ft) and a larger garrison flag (30 by 42 ft). In June 1813, Major George Armistead arrived in Baltimore, Maryland, to take command of Fort McHenry, built to guard the water entrance to the city.

Plans for new permanent exhibition gallery now underway.

Major, multi-year conservation effort launched in 1998.

On exhibit at the National Museum of American History since 1964.

First loaned to the Smithsonian Institution in 1907 converted to permanent gift in 1912.

Preserved by the Armistead family as a memento of the battle.Raised over Fort McHenry on the morning of September 14, 1814, to signal American victory over the British in the Battle of Baltimore the sight inspired Francis Scott Key to write “The Star-Spangled Banner”.

Fifteen stars and fifteen stripes (one star has been cut out).Commissioned by Major George Armistead, commander of Fort McHenry.Made in Baltimore, Maryland, in July-August 1813 by flagmaker Mary Pickersgill.Quick Facts about the Star-Spangled Banner Flag The original Star-Spangled Banner, the flag that inspired Francis Scott Key to write the song that would become our national anthem, is among the most treasured artifacts in the collections of the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History in Washington, D.C.

Eliot Elisofon Photographic Archives, African Art.

The star the star spangled banner song