Topic: Francis Scott Key

Decoder Wire July 4 trivia: Who sewed the star-spangled banner that inspired the song?

This July 4, the Maryland Historical Society is kicking off an effort to sew a reproduction of the star-spangled banner using materials as close as possible to those used by the original seamstress.

Alicia Keys national anthem rendition was the longest – and bankable (+video)

Alicia Keys national anthem: The 13-Grammy winner sang one of the longest versions of the national anthem at the Super Bowl in recent history. Alicia Keys should be able to sell her Super Bowl version of the anthem.

Chapter & Verse Election season: Remembering the strange election of 1876

During the era of Obama and Romney, historian Roy Morris Jr. looks back at the contested nineteenth-century race.

Snow-Storm in August

In 'Snow-Storm,' author Jefferson Morley intensely captures the tension-filled 1830s and draws historical figures of the time in subtle shadings.

Change Agent She helps save a memory in stone of a 200-year-old forgotten US war

Betty Oderwald has led an effort to restore the Powder House, one of Connecticut's few buildings connected to the War of 1812, now celebrating its bicentennial.

Letters to the Editor – Weekly Issue of April 25, 2011

Readers write in about defense spending and the cost of undeclared wars as well as the US Civil War legacy.
04/25/2011 11:00 am

The Vote Christina Aguilera national anthem: why she flubbed it

Christina Aguilera mumbled some lines and moved others around at her Super Bowl performance. Here are two possible reasons that the Christina Aguilera national anthem didn't go more smoothly.
02/07/2011 12:55 pm

In Pictures Space Photos of the Day: Blast off

In Pictures Space photos of the day: Rocket science

Decoder Wire On July 4, sing the national anthem and visit ... the memorial buoy?

There are plenty of patriotic monuments to visit this July 4 weekend. One of the weirder ones is a red, white and blue buoy floating in a Baltimore river, marking the spot where Francis Scott Key composed the Star Spangled Banner in 1814.
07/02/2010 05:36 pm

Schools use cash as an incentive to boost attendance and scores

Baltimore schools teach students about the stock market and let them keep money from their portfolios. Are cash rewards bribery or a creative way to inspire students?
04/29/2008 01:00 am