Every time Americans stand for the National Anthem, they’re honoring a song inspired by one of the nation’s defining moments.

Francis Scott Key, born Aug. 1, 1779, in Frederick County, Maryland, wrote the poem that would become “The Star-Spangled Banner” after witnessing the British bombardment of Fort McHenry during the War of 1812.

On the morning of Sept. 14, 1814, Key was relieved to see the American flag still flying over the fort, a sign that U.S. forces had successfully defended Baltimore. Inspired by the sight, he penned the poem “Defense of Fort M’Henry,” which was later set to music and officially adopted by Congress as the United States National Anthem in 1931.

Today, the anthem remains a lasting symbol of the nation’s resilience and patriotism.