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7321650
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Program for the Flag Raising Ceremony at Fort McHenry
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7321650
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document
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Program for the Flag Raising Ceremony at Fort McHenry
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Fred A. Seaton Papers
Fred A. Seaton Speech Files
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7321650
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4
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1959-07-04
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7
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1959
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First Raising
Of The
49- Star Flag
July 4, 1959
FORT McHENRY NATIONAL MONUMENT AND HISTORIC SHRINE
BALTIMORE 30, MARYLAND
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
NATIONAL PARK SERVICE
Artist conception of Bombardment of Fort McHenry, September 13-14, 1814
FOR FLAG AND COUNTRY
Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine is unique
among the areas administered within the National Park System
because of its close identification with the flag of the United States
of America.
Here, it was a glimpse of the American flag waving defiantly
over the ramparts of this fort at the end of a 25 hour bombardment
by a British fleet that inspired Francis Scott Key to compose our
national anthem. The significance of this event received national
recognition March 3, 1925 when Fort McHenry was set aside by
Act of Congress as a "perpetual national memorial shrine as the
birthplace of the immortal 'Star-Spangled Banner."
It is because of Fort McHenry's special meaning in American
history and as evidence of regard for the new State of Alaska that
Fort McHenry was designated early this year by President Dwight
D. Eisenhower as the site first to raise America's 49-star flag at
12:01 a.m. of July 4, 1959. This flag is being raised on a newly con-
structed replica of the 1814 flagpole from which the flag flew that
inspired the writing of "The Star-Spangled Banner."
FIRST OFFICIAL RAISING OF THE 49 - STAR
FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES AT FORT McHENRY
NATIONAL MONUMENT AND HISTORIC SHRINE
July 4, 1959
Conrad L. Wirth
Director of the National Park Service
Presiding
July 3, 1959-11:00 p.m.
Musical Selections
The United States Marine Band
Lieutenant Colonel Albert Schoepper, Director, Conducting
Invocation by
Rev. R. Bruce Poynter, Pastor
North Avenue Methodist Church
Introduction of Distinguished Guests
Greetings by the Honorable J. Milliard Tawes, Governor of Maryland
Reenactment of the Bombardment
By United States Navy Vessels and units of the
United States Army Field Artillery
Address by the Honorable Fred A. Seaton, Secretary of the Interior
Presentation of Colors
Combined Services Color Guard
Benediction by
Rev. William M. J. Driscoll, S.J.
Director, Jesuit Seminary and Mission Bureau
July 4, 1959-12:01 a.m.
First Official Raising of the 49 - Star United States Flag by
Secretary Seaton at the Direction of the President of the United States
"The Star-Spangled Banner" by the United States Marine Band
Fireworks Display
OF THE INTERIOR INTE DEP RIOR S
UNITED STATES
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fred A. Seaton, Secretary
March 3. 1849
NATIONAL
PARK
NATIONAL PARK SERVICE
SERVICE
Conrad L. Wirth, Director
DEPARTMENT OF
THE INTERIOR
Acknowledgements
Department of Defense
State of Maryland
The New York Community Trust
City of Baltimore
Programs Courtesy of the Evelyn Hill Corporation