Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine

A new report from the National Parks Conservation Association points out a range of concerns the organization has about the health of the Chesapeake Bay and its 64,000-square-mile watershed, and carries a number of recommendations that NPCA believes can greatly improvement the bay's health.

Ribbon cutting ceremonies for new buildings are commonplace, but the dedication of a new visitor center for Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine in Baltimore on March 3, 2011, included plenty of unique touches--including a memorable cake.

A promotion announced late in December, one that pairs the National Park Foundation with a massive Toyota sport utility vehicle, appears to be at odds with the foundation's stated mission and the National Park Service's approach to climate change.

In 1906, the Antiquities Act authorized the president to create national monuments by presidential proclamation. Fifteen presidents serving since then have invoked the Act to protect nationally significant natural and cultural resources.

The current 50-star version of our American flag is the only design most living Americans have ever known, and it was first raised at an NPS site fifty years ago—on July 4, 1960. Do you know which park had the honor of hosting that event?

Fort McHenry is best known as the birthplace of the "Star-Spangled Banner," but the old fort has seen a lot of other history in the years since its stone walls were completed in 1803. A special candlelight tour on December 5 will offer a rare chance to visit the fort after dark and see how Yuletide celebrations have changed during the past 200 years.

Few places are more closely associated with the Stars and Stripes than Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine, and the park has a new flagpole that's a blend of modern technology and 19th century craftsmanship. It was installed in plenty of time for a special event on August 1st.