War of 1812 trail would trace path of forgotten fight

Historians have teamed up with politicians to commemorate the War of 1812, parts of which were fought up and down the Chesapeake Bay. Congress is considering legislation that would designate as a national historic trail a 290-mile path winding through Virginia, Maryland and the District to link the war's battle sites.

The Star-Spangled Banner Trail would begin in Southern Maryland near St. Leonard Creek and loop up to such sites as Alexandria, Washington, Bladensburg and Baltimore. It was in Baltimore that Key witnessed British ships firing on Fort McHenry, where the U.S. flag survived the "rockets' red glare" and "bombs bursting in air."