Baltimore Commemorates 200 Years of Valor
By Dr. Julie Shively
BALTIMORE—The Society of the War of 1812 celebrated its 200th anniversary of the Battle Monument in Baltimore on Sept. 13, 2025. This monument commemorates all the fallen soldiers and sailors in the Battle of Baltimore, fought on 12 and 13 September 1814, during the War of 1812.
Mayor Brandon M. Scott, Baltimore mayor, Marie Frías Sauter, superintendent of Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine, Hampton National Historic Site, and the Star-Spangled Banner National Historic Trail, National Park Service, and Dr. Julie Shively, command historian, Maryland National Guard, spoke during the event. Scott remembered the men and women who risked their lives and livelihoods to protect Baltimore and Dr. Shively gave the history of the Battle of Baltimore and the Maryland Militia’s role in the battle.
“This battle was a testament to the dedication and loyalty of the citizens of Maryland, who saw the larger context of this one battle for one city,” said Shively in her prepared remarks. “They recognized that the ultimate question to be answered in this battle was whether the citizens of Maryland would continue to allow Britain to treat the United States as one of their colonies. Maryland’s answer to this question was a resounding NO!”
The Battle of Baltimore pitted the Maryland Militia and volunteers from surrounding states against the British army and Navy. The Battle was fought at North Point while Fort McHenry was being bombarded by British ships. A total of 213 U.S. soldiers and sailors were casualties and 39 Marylanders died from the battle.
Battle of North Point
The Battle Monument began construction on September 12, 1815, one year after the battle. The monument lists the names of the fallen soldiers in a spiraling ribbon up the central shaft. The monument was adopted as the city’s emblem and is now on the city flag.
The Society of the War of 1812 comprises members who trace direct lineage to the soldiers who fought in the War of 1812.