George Armistead was a major in the United States Army during the War of 1812. On June 13, 1813, Major Armistead arrived in Baltimore to take command of Fort McHenry (Parrish). Armistead contacted Mary Pickersgill, a flag maker from Baltimore, to sew two American flags ("History of the American National Anthem"). The largest flag became known as the "Star-Spangled Banner". A gifted poet named Francis Scott Key witnessed the battle from a hilltop (“History of the American National Anthem”). As he watched the battle, he began to get an idea. He wrote the first verse of a song on the back of a letter. Back in Baltimore, he completed the four verses and copied them onto a sheet of paper (“History of the American National Anthem”). Key went to a local printer to publish the new song. Historians estimate that it was printed in Baltimore around September 1814 ("History of the American National Anthem"). From there, "The Star-Spangled Banner" became one of the nation's most beloved patriotic songs and serves as an important symbol for the United States. The national anthem symbolizes one of the key moments in history. It started during the War of 1812 (Parrish). Early in the war, the U.S. Navy achieved victories in the Atlantic and on Lake Erie while Britain focused its military efforts on its war with France ("Life During War"). But with the defeat of Napoleon's armies in 1814, Britain turned its attention to the war against the United States ("Life During War"). A few months later, the most important battle had just begun. This battle was known as the Battle of Baltimore (“Life in Wartime”). The Americans were defending the port of Baltimore against the British. The British Navy then sparked a nationwide uproar when he strummed a blues-style rendition of the song in Detroit at Tiger's Stadium before Game 5 of the 1968 World Series, between Detroit and St. Louis. Performances at particularly important events often end with a military parade (“History of the American National Anthem”). During ceremonies, the Army and Navy play the national anthem in tribute to the men and women who have died fighting for the country. Museums began funding the conservation of the flag and the song (Parrish). It is still being preserved. Preservations of the new flag can be seen at the Smithsonian Institute (Parrish). Conservatives are working to freshen up the Stars and Stripes flag of the United States (Parrish). When someone hears the word patriotic, the first thought should be "the Star-Spangled Banner" because it is the most famous patriotic symbol of the United States..