America's 'Adolescence' and the War of 1812 Listen Download Embed Share Share this on Facebook (Opens in a new window) Share this on Twitter (Opens in a new window) Share this via Email Fort McHenry, outside of Baltimore. Frances Scott Key penned The Star-Spangled Banner during the War of 1812, as the British fired on Fort McHenry. ( Flickr user ConspiracyofHappiness / flickr ) Produced by Jillian Weinberger Produced by PRI and WNYC