Around South County: Kids learn about the War of 1812

During the War of 1812, there was a famous battle in Baltimore, the 1814 "Battle of Fort McHenry." It wasn't really a battle at all - the fort didn't have cannons powerful enough to reach the British warships, so the fire was only incoming.

During the 25-hour bombardment, all the lights in the city were darkened - the only illumination throughout the night came from exploding shells over the star-shaped fort. For citizens in the city, and one now-famous poet, the light from the exploding artillery was the only thing showing the Unites States flag still flying within the confines of the fort.

"And the...