This weekend, Baltimore begins two years of celebrations in conjunction with the 200th anniversary of the War of 1812, which actually ended in 1814 with the Battle of Baltimore, when the Star-Spangled Banner was written.
There are dozens of tall ships in and around Baltimore’s Inner Harbour.
The Navy’s Blue Angels are here for the weekend and they were doing a bit of practice today. You would hear them screaming by, but by the time you looked at where the sound was coming from, they were long gone. I am going to see them this weekend if it KILLS me. Ya hear?
Our own tall ship, The Pride of Baltimore II, is in the midst of the festivities and you can see her here sailing just off of Fort McHenry where the festivities are centered. This is where the Anthem’s ramparts are located.
Three threads from the original flag that flew over Fort McHenry have been added to the national 9/11 flag. 
It was a gorgeous weekend and the next days were stunning in their clarity, sunshine and blue skies. And then on Tuesday morning, September 11th, it seemed that everything went black.
I'm looking forward to visiting B-more in a week and hope the tall ships are still in residence. Lovely. RD
ReplyDeleteCan't wait to see you both! Not sure about the tall ships, but there's plenty of other things happening!
DeleteDo you proof read your posts?
ReplyDeleteAnon... generally, i give each post a cursory edit after i write it, but as i am also doing this at about 11:00 p.m. i am tired and ready for bed. is there a specific thing that you've noticed?
DeleteMeg a wonderful post! I love to see the tall ships in the harbor!
ReplyDeleteCould Anon be speaking of "Sailabration"? (eyes rolling)
xoxo
Karena
Art by Karena
The whole event is actually called Star-Spangled Sailabration because of the tall ships, so I hope that's not what Anon is talking about. There was one sentence that didn't read well, but i edited it.
DeleteI do find it so annoying when people post as Anon just to criticize.
i saw one of those magnificent ships while crossing the Bay Bridge the other day. Very exciting.
ReplyDeletechris... that must have been an amazing view. my sister was down around calvert cliffs and saw some of them coming up.
DeleteInteresting post! Wish I were going to be in Baltimore for some of the festivities!
ReplyDeleteWe are so lucky to have a beautiful harbour!
DeleteThe original post mentioned the war of 1814 which ended in 1814 --- now it reads the war of 1812 which ended in 1814 with the battle of Baltimore -- hey, I am reading these posts at 2 am and trying to make sense out of them (after a long day at work) ... the 9/11 reference, please. a new generation has been born and if a date is cited, September 11, 2001 --I think for historical, educational purposes; since this blog is read all over the world, the short 9/11 is not noting the passage of time--- to some the time passing may seem just like yesterday and to those just hearing about it , and of an age they can wrap their head around it ---I Just think multiple references should include the entire date for clarity. I only offer constructive critiques, if you think it is nit picking so be it. Also, was there a specific thing you noticed meg? Also the national 9/11 flag --I did not know such a thing existed . And thank you for a Fitting post of June 14, 2012 a day the USA calls Flag day -- next year June 14, 2013 we will call it Flag day Please fly your flag on US national holidays and read and observe the Flag Code
ReplyDeletereally fascinating post! love those tall ships
ReplyDeleteWe went down to see them on Friday evening and it was great.
DeleteMeg: I find anon a little too snarky
ReplyDeleteto be listed on your posts. You have so many interesting items and it would be nice to read them without the anon jabs. Just saw the tall ships in Norfolk. Really thrilling.
I find it very amusing that so many are hung up about the selected profile Anon... that they do not consider the insight of the comment posted by Anon. Snarky? snarky? seems to me snarky was the tone of late by the very author of this blog. and well the snarky author update comments were deleted leaving gentle readers to wonder what occurred?? Church Lady asks.
ReplyDeleteThe Fishbowl Baltimore recent contribution ahem, is most er, interesting. Mr. Grant said. Oh Lou there you go again.
ReplyDeleteMeg, are you still going to do Flippa's Baltimore house tour on your blog? I adore her style!
ReplyDeleteHave a wonderful weekend.
Irina... most unhappily, Flippa has moved back to South Africa. We are all so going to miss her here.
DeleteEnjoy the celebrations Meg... Happy weekend.... xv
ReplyDeleteMerci, Vicki!
DeleteA. Cooke here. If Historical accounts are referenced, and I realize this is not the History channel, a chain of events often is behind conventional assumptions. The story of F. S. Key, an amateur poet, wrote a poem entitled Defense of Ft McHenry then there was something or other about a popular tune at the time well you know most "popular " tunes were sung under certain conditions and these usually involved Ps and Q's ( pints and quarts) as in a stout liquid-- so a drinking song was used to help everyone remember the words to what became known as the Star Spangled banner anthem
ReplyDeleteThat day changed our world. September 11!
ReplyDeleteI love your description.....and your values still hold loud and clear!
what a wonderful post!
Thank you!!