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An Even Grander Old Flag

"Oh, say, does that star-spangled banner yet wave/ O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave?" Those words, part of our national anthem, haven't changed since they were written in 1814. But the original banner, or flag, that inspired them has changed a lot. Its broad stripes and bright stars are faded and worn.

Next month marks the start of a three-year, $5.5 million project to return some of the glory to "Old Glory," as the historic flag is known. In 1814 a young lawyer named Francis Scott Key wrote the words to The Star-Spangled Banner after catching sight of the flag.

During the War of 1812, Key observed a British attack on the American Army at Fort McHenry near Baltimore, Maryland. He watched as cannons boomed and blazed throughout the night of September 13, 1814. When the sun came up the next morning, he wasn't sure which army had won. Then, through his telescope, he spotted a huge American flag waving from the fort. Key was so inspired by the sight that he quickly wrote the words to The Star-Spangled Banner.

Since that time, light, pollution and moist air have damaged the 150-pound cloth flag, which is displayed at the National Museum of American History in Washington, D.C. Museum visitors will be able to enter a room where they can watch as the flag is cleaned and treated to prevent future damage. The History Channel, which is helping fund the project, will air a special on the flag December 3.

Although its flying days are over, the original star-spangled banner still inspires many Americans. Says historian Libby O'Connell: "It is part of our heritage and part of a really wonderful history story."

Next: From Trash to Treasures