The Biggest (and Best) Flag That Ever Flew

The true story of one girl's connection to the “gallantly streaming” flag Francis Scott Key wrote about in the National Anthem.

Young Caroline Pickersgill lives with her mother and grandmother in Baltimore, Maryland. Mrs. Pickersgill, a widow, supports herself and her daughter by making flags for the ships that sail into the city. Some soldiers from Fort McHenry come to her to order the biggest and best flag in the world, and Caroline helps make it.

When the British sail up the Chesapea...