Note: Site of the star-shaped fort that was critical in the defense of Baltimore, Maryland from the British in the War of 1812. The Battle of Baltimore (September 13-14, 1814) inspired Francis Scott Key's poem "The Star-Spangled Banner," which he wrote after witnessing the battle from aboard a British ship. The fort was used as a place of detention for Confederate soldiers during the American Civil War (1861-1865) and as a military post until it was abandoned in 1900. Named a national park in 1925 and a national monument and historic shrine in 1939.