Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine in Baltimore, Maryland, is the birthplace of the American national anthem. During the Battle of Baltimore on September 13–14, 1814, British naval forces bombarded the star-shaped fort for 25 hours during the War of 1812. The fort's successful defense inspired Francis Scott Key, who watched the bombardment from a truce ship in the harbor, to write the poem "Defence of Fort M'Henry," which was later set to music and became "The Star-Spangled Banner," officially adopted as the national anthem in 1931. Designated as a national park in 1925 and redesignated in 1939, Fort McHenry is the only unit in the National Park System designated both a national monument and a historic shrine.
📚 Learn More at NPSHistory.com →Long before Fort McHenry National Monument became a national park, this land was home to Indigenous peoples whose connection to it spans thousands of years. The interpretive materials now being reviewed tell their story — often developed through years of formal tribal consultation, as required by federal law.
Among the content targeted: “Our President has not those commanding talents, which are necessary to control those about him.” — language that the administration has flagged for review under its directive to review historically accurate interpretive materials.
Why this matters: The Indigenous history presented at Fort McHenry National Monument was developed through formal tribal consultation — a legal requirement under federal law. The language being reviewed was often specifically requested by tribal nations whose ancestors lived on this land for thousands of years. Revising it without renewed consultation would violate both the spirit and the letter of that process.
Exhibit Text:
Despite some impressive victories in the War of 1812, America was rarely far from defeat and disaster. Fighting ranged across several fronts, on land and sea. America took the war to the British, in Canada. Britain brought the war home to America, along its eastern and southern coasts.
Staff Evaluation:
The Americans were hampered by internal problems. President Madison was a weak and uninspiring war leader, who failed to replace incompetent military commanders or to unite his own party. The war was unpopular, reflected in poor rates of enlistment, and high rates of desertion in the army and navy. With notable exceptions the volunteer citizen militias were an unreliable alternative. Finally, the Federal government failed to raise enough money to pay for the war.
Disparages Madison, but it is a fact that he did not replace commanders or unite his party. - MCM; This does disparage Madison, but is there good documentation?- Greg ; “Our President has not those commanding talents, which are necessary to control those about him.” John C. Calhoun https://www.nps.gov/articles/grading-madison-wartime-president.htm - MCM
Fort McHenry National Monument in MD preserves a piece of American history that the public has trusted the National Park Service to protect and interpret. The exhibit panels at this site have been developed over years by historians, subject-matter experts, and park staff — and are now being reviewed under Secretary's Order 3431.
From the internal review records: “The destruction of the capital was a severe blow to American morale and the President’s authority. But it did not mark the end of the war. The British withdrew the next day, heading for Baltimore and richer pickings.”
Why this matters: Fort McHenry National Monument is part of a network of over 400 national parks that serve as America's classrooms. The interpretive materials here were developed by subject-matter experts to help visitors understand the full story of this place. When historically accurate content is removed, the public loses access to its own history.
Exhibit Text:
The destruction of the capital was a severe blow to American morale and the President’s authority. But it did not mark the end of the war. The British withdrew the next day, heading for Baltimore and richer pickings.
Staff Evaluation:
This could be viewed as disparaging to the President Madison.
Fort McHenry National Monument stands as one of America's most significant War of 1812 sites. The events that unfolded here shaped the nation's future — and the interpretive materials that tell this story have been developed over decades by historians and park staff committed to factual accuracy.
Among the content targeted: “forgotten war” — language that the administration has flagged for review under its directive to review historically accurate interpretive materials.
Why this matters: Fort McHenry National Monument commemorates events that shaped the course of American history. The interpretation here has been developed by professional historians over decades and reflects scholarly consensus. For the thousands of students who visit each year, this is often their first direct encounter with the realities of the Civil War — including its root cause in slavery.
Exhibit Text:
Focusing on battle successes, many Americans in the years after 1815 talked of the War of 1812 as a triumph. So why is it now called a “forgotten war”? It was not a clear victory. Perhaps it was also a failure. None of America’s stated war aims were achieved and the arguments for war were neither clear nor undisputed. Later, bigger conflicts with better presidents and more prominent generals superseded it, including the Civil War, World War I and World War II. Nevertheless, what the War of 1812 did bequeath to the nation was a renewed national spirit that made those later victories possible.
Staff Evauation:
This is an opinion on Madison as a president compared to other presidents.
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