'The Star-Spangled Banner' First Printing
A captive of the British fleet in Baltimore harbor since early that month, a just-released Francis Scott Key finished writing what would become our national anthem on September 16, 1814. While it was printed on an undated handbill in the meantime, it was the September 20th issue of the Baltimore Patriot that marks the first dated printing of the song. Only three complete copies are known to exist, and one of them will be auctioned off by Christie's June 2nd, offering a rare chance to purchase a piece of American history — just in time for display on Independence Day.