The Battle of Baltimore took place September 12-14, 1814, during the War of 1812, when British forces attempted to capture the city following their victory at Washington, D.C. After U.S. militia slowed the British advance at the Battle of North Point, American defenders held firm at Fort McHenry, withstanding a 25-hour naval bombardment. The failed assault forced the British to withdraw. The defense of Fort McHenry inspired Francis Scott Key to write the poem that became the lyrics to “The Star-Spangled Banner,” later adopted as the U.S. national anthem.