Tag: stars and stripes

Posted on

Two Flags over Fort McHenry Wall Art

This unique photograph speaks of American History and Patriotism.

So, why are there two American Flags in this photograph? Few people know this, but you can actually fly your own flag over Fort McHenry in Baltimore, Maryland. You can either bring your own American Flag or buy one in the gift shop and take it to a Park Ranger in the fort. He or she will hoist your flag up the historic flagpole (may even let you help) and you can see your own flag flying over Fort McHenry. The Visitor Center staff will then give you a certificate to certify that your flag was flown over Fort McHenry.

two flags over fort mchenry baltimore
Two Flags Over Fort McHenry in Baltimore

It was at this revered place that American soldiers defended our young country against the British fleet during the War of 1812. This final battle took place on September 13-14, 1814 and marked one of the culminating battles of the war.

During that overnight battle is when Francis Scott Key penned his poem entitled “The Star Spangled Banner.” That poem was eventually adopted by President Woodrow Wilson as the standard National Anthem of the United States. But it wasn’t until 1929 that “House Resolution 14” was enacted by Congress naming “The Start Spangled Banner” as the official National Anthem of the United States of America.

Use the links below to browse or shop more of Bill’s photographs of Fort McHenry and the American Flag.

Link to: Two Flags over Fort McHenry

Link to: Bill’s Fort McHenry Collection

Link to: Bill’s full Gallery at Fine Art America/Pixels

fort mchenry with baltimore in the background
Fort McHenry with the City of Baltimore in the Background.
Posted on

American Flag in the Header

The 15-star flag flies over Fort McHenry in Baltimore.

With a domain name and site title of U.S. Pictures it is appropriate for the header image(s) to be of an American Flag. In addition the majority of photographs in this website should be from somewhere within the United States of America. Hence: USPictures.com.

My first real success with photographing the American Flag was at Fort McHenry in Baltimore, Maryland. The first image here is of the Garrison Flag (the large flag) flying over the parade ground at the fort and being backlit by the sun. This flag is spanking in the breeze much like the flag that was flying at the end of the Battle of Baltimore near the end of the War of 1812.

American Flag Flying over Fort McHenry
Star Spangled Banner

The second flag I am featuring here is the smaller “Storm Flag” and it is shown against a (somewhat) stormy sky.

Storm Flag Flying over Fort Mchenry
Storm Flag Against a Stormy Sky at Fort McHenry

The Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine is located on the Patapsco River in Baltimore, Maryland. It was here that Major George Armistead, commander of Fort McHenry, ordered the large garrison flag to be flown over the fort as a sign to the British that he would not surrender during their attack on Baltimore from September 13–14, 1814. It was during this bombardment that Francis Scott Key, a Baltimore lawyer and amateur poet, saw through the “rocket’s red glare and bombs bursting in air” the American Flag still flying over Fort McHenry. Key recounted his experience later on board a British ship where he was being held captive. He wrote a poem entitled “Defense of Fort McHenry,” which came to be known as The Star-Spangled Banner after repeated printing. This eventually became America’s national anthem.

Click the links below to see larger images and the types of wall art and home decor items that are available.

Link: Star Spangled Banner at Fine Art America

Link: Storm Flag Against a Stormy Sky at Fort McHenry

Link to: A variety of Flag Images

Link to: Bill’s Gallery at Fine Art America

Link to: Bill’s Gallery at Pictorem

I have been a photographer for over twenty years and during this time I have photographed the American flag on a number of occasions. These included photographing a number of historical flags displayed at various museums including, of course, the Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine in Baltimore, Maryland. These two photographs of American Flags were selected to show how it is possible to photograph the Stars & Stripes in different ways that express different moods as well as different lighting. Click HERE for more.