No plans to remove monument to ‘Star-Spangled Banner’ writer

Baltimore’s mayor says she has no plans to remove the city’s monument to Francis Scott Key that was recently vandalized.

The words “Racist Anthem” were painted on the monument’s base on the anniversary of the battle that inspired Key to write the “The Star-Spangled Banner.”

The Baltimore Sun reported Wednesday that Mayor Catherine Pugh also has directed art preservation experts to determine the cost of cleaning it up.

Key, who owned slaves, was inspired to write his verses by the Battle of Fort McHenry on Sept. 13-14, 1814 during the War of 1812.

The seldom-sung third verse says: “No refuge could save the hireling and slave from the terror of flight or the gloom of the grave.” Many believe it refers to slaves who fought for the British.

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Information from: The Baltimore Sun, http://www.baltimoresun.com