The banner, seen by Francis Scott Key "in the dawn's early light, "
was the biggest flag in the world. It measured 42 feet long and 30 wide.
Never before had our national emblem been displayed in such heroic
proportions. Why did it happen on this occasion? Well it was a
Maryland gesture. The banner was ordered by Maryland officers
specifically for the terrible battle they knew was ahead of them. For
some reason that they did not commit to the records they ordered it
to be of tremendous size. They were just militia men, but they were
going to wage a fight for the whole United States of America. And so,
they put the flag of the whole United States in the sky above them
and they put it there with emphasis. And what emphasis, indeed!
Not only did they call for mighty measurements of the flag itself, but
they flew this emblem of their will and their courage from a giant
staff, 87 feet high. So that the enemy might know from afar that,
although the capital city was lost, the American people still intended
to fight to save their Republic. It is a magnificent gesture in human
history, and it was a gesture made in Maryland. Yet, how often do
we Marylanders think about it? We know, of course, that the Star-
Spangled Banner was born in Baltimore. But I am afraid we tend to
forget the drama.

We know, however, that a Maryland poet said it for us, and his
words still ring in the hearts and minds of Americans when the
strains are heard:

"Oh thus be it ever, when free men shall stand
Between the loved home and the war's desolation. "

For, although this poet was seeing just one battle in one particular
war, his poetic imagination ranged down the future, and he wrote for
all time, and not for just that day. And so, the song that was born
there in Baltimore Harbor, on September 12, 1814, is still valid for a
whole people.

England is no longer our enemy. She is our very good friend.
But there remain enemies of freedom, and the nations threatened by
them know that the Star-Spangled Banner is freedom's greatest de-
fender. "Thus be it ever. " Immortal words, given to the whole world.
In Maryland, by a Marylander, while Maryland soldiers faced death
to save the liberty they cherished.

Let me cite another instance when Maryland stepped forward to

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