Susan Sullam: 410-962-4435

WASHINGTON – A key Senate Committee has approved
Senator Benjamin L. Cardin's legislation to establish the Star-Spangled Banner Trail as a National Historic Trail to commemorate the War of 1812.

“The War of 1812 and the defense of Fort McHenry are sources of pride for Maryland and for the entire nation. As the bicentennial approaches, we need to honor, cherish and help all Americans remember these important landmarks in our nation's history,” said Senator Cardin.

The Star-Spangled Banner Trail would officially mark some of the most historic sites from the War of 1812 in Maryland, Virginia and the District of Columbia. Sites along the National Historic Trail would include battles between the British Navy and the American Chesapeake Flotilla in St. Leonard's Creek in Calvert County; the British landing at Benedict; the Battle of Bladensburg; the burning of the Nation's Capital and White House; and the successful American defense of Fort McHenry, which inspired the poem that became our National Anthem.

In 1999, as a member of the House, then-Rep. Cardin sponsored legislation directing the National Park Service to study of the feasibility of designating new routes used by the British and Americans during the Chesapeake Campaign of the War of 1812 as a National Historic Trail. The study was completed in March 2004 and recommended that the proposed Star-Spangled Banner Historic Trail be established by Congress.

Senators Barbara A. Mikulski, D-MD and
John Warner, R-VA, have also co-sponsored this legislation in the Senate. In the House, Rep. John Sarbanes, D-MD-3, has introduced similar legislation.