Our Flag Was Still There: The Star Spangled Banner that Survived the British and 200 Years -- And the Armistead Family Who Saved It

by Tom McMillan

Our Flag Was Still There details the improbable two-hundred-year journey of the original Star-Spangled Banner -- from Fort McHenry in 1814, when Francis Scott Key first saw it, to the Smithsonian in 2023 -- and the enduring family who defended, kept, hid, and ultimately donated the most famous flag in American history. Francis Scott Key saw the original Star-Spangled Banner flying over Baltimore's Fort McHenry on September 14, 1814, following a twenty-five-hour bombardment by the British Navy, inspiring him to write the words to our national anthem. Torn and tattered over the years, reduced in size to appease souvenir-hunters, stuffed away in a New York City vault for the last two decades of the nineteenth century, the flag's mere existence after two hundred years is an improbable story of dedication, perseverance, patriotism, angst, inner-family squabbles, and, yes, more than a little luck. For this unlikely feat, we have the Armistead family to thank -- led by Lieutenant Colonel George Armistead, commander of Fort McHenry, who took it home after the battle in clear defiance of U.S. Army regulations. It is only because of that quiet indiscretion that the flag survives to this day. Armistead's descendants kept and protected their family heirloom for ninety years. The flag's first photo was not taken until 1873, almost sixty years after Key saw it waving, and most Americans did not even know of its existence until Armistead's grandson loaned it to the Smithsonian in 1907. Tom McMillan tells a story as no one has before. Digging deep into the archives of Fort McHenry and the Smithsonian, accessing never-before-published letters and documents, and presenting rare photos from the private collections of Armistead descendants and other sources, McMillan follows the flag on an often-perilous journey through three centuries. Our Flag Was Still There provides new insight into an intriguing period of U.S. history, offering a "story behind the story" account of one of the country's most treasured relics.

Genres: History, American History

1 pages, Audio CD

Published June 6, 2023

Reviews

[Brendan (History Nerds United) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh say can you see....how this would be a really good book!? (No, I will not apologize for that opening line.)

Tom McMillan tackles the history of the Star Spangled Banner in his book Our Flag Was Still There. It turns out there is a lot to cover when discussing how a flag can go from flying over a fort to a museum 200 years later. But I am sure you want to know what I wanted to know which is if McMillan answers the questions we really want answered. A sample of the things keeping me up at night:

1. Is the flag in the museum the real one?
2. How racist was Francis Scott Key?
3. Is The Star Spangled Banner itself racist?
4. How'd we win that battle anyways?
5. Did we really land on the moon in 1969?

Great news, he answers 4 out of 5! You'll have to read the book to find out which one. However, you will learn about how the Armistead family cared for the flag for generations and why there might be a few pieces missing. This book is a lot of fun.

(This book was provided as a review copy by the author.)

[Luisa Knight · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this listen and learned a lot - what a neat story! Would definitely recommend and suggest reading it before your next trip to D.C. and visiting the Smithsonian!

Gave it four stars for the repetitive writing - it reminded me somewhat of our essay formats we had to use in high school. Ha, ha!

Content Considerations: b*tch is used once.

[noreast_bookreviewsnh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Our flag was still there: The star spangled banner that survived the British and 200 years - and the Armistead family that saved it by Tom McMillan
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This book is an absolute blast, it has everything that a red blooded American would want to hear about; a victorious battle, a dramatic song to tell the tale, and the heroes that made it all happen. In this case it is the story of the literal “Star Spangled Banner” or the flag behind our National Anthem and the dramatic victory over the British during the defense of Fort McHenry in Baltimore, Maryland led by Major George Armistead in 1814 during the war of 1812. After the victory was secured, our Star Spangled Banner somehow came into in the possession of Major Armistead for the remainder of his life and would continue so for many years as a family heirloom. This book describes the journey that the flag takes, from symbol of victory and hope to family heirloom to national icon that would end up in the Smithsonian Museum for all Americans to enjoy and how the Armistead family would play a large role in its preservation. Also the author delves into the Armistead family history, the role of Francis Scott Key (author of the star spangled banner), the flags journey to its current home, and how the flag and these events tie into our current American culture and tradition. Well worth the read ! @fortmchenrynps @smithsonian
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#usa #fortmchenry #warof1812 #georgearmistead #army #starspangledbanner #francisscottkey #baltimore #maryland #smithsonian #read #lewisarmistead #civilwar #veteran #flag #historicalusa

[Rebecca Hill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! Get ready for a history of the American Flag and the Star Spangled Banner like never before!

Tom McMillan dove into the history of the Star Spangled Banner, from its inception on a piece of paper, to where it now stands as the national anthem for the United States. Through its long history, the flag that flew over Fort McHenry during the War of 1812, has finally found its forever home in the Smithsonian Museum of American History. However, before that, it was cared for by the Armistead family, and lovingly cherished throughout its time, until it was donated so that millions of visitors could view the beloved flag.

The history of the Armistead family is also interestingly laid out, and there is much to learn! I enjoyed every aspect of it, from the War of 1812, through the Civil War and beyond.

There has been some controversy around the wording of the Star Spangled Banner, but we have to remember that we are looking at it through modern eyes. When it comes to history, we need to step back and take into perspective the happenings and the world that was there. The meanings of the different verses, specifically verse three are laid out, and talked through. McMillan draws on multiple sources, and brings to light the true meaning of these words, and the fervor that was behind them.

This book was brilliantly put together and I enjoyed each moment with this book. It is one that I am definitely going to be recommending to my students to read.

[Melissa Salsgiver · Rating 5 out of 5]

So much history that I never really learned. The political controversies surrounding the Star Spangled Banner and the Flag fascinated me. I just never thought about so much that was covered in the book. What to learn about the 1812 and 1814 war, the reason Francis Scott Key was there, what happened to the flag afterwards...then read the book.

[Bookwormgyrl · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book immensely. It gave a great insight on the War of 1812 without going into deep military strategy. It provides great research in the history of the Star Spangled Banner flag and our National Anthem. Devolves into the life of George Arimstead and his family, as well as Francis Scott Key keeping in mind these were men of their times. 5.0 bookworms.

[Salina Baker · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Done! Excellent! From the battle of Fort McHenry when Francis Scott Key watched from a ship and wrote "The Star Spangled Banner" to the struggle over the original flag and its preservation, and the establishment of our national anthem--we learn our diversity

[Salina Baker]

"Done! Excellent! From the battle of Fort McHenry when Francis Scott Key watched from a ship and wrote "The Star Spangled Banner" to the struggle over the original flag and its preservation, and the establishment of our national anthem--we learn our diversity

[Audrey Approved]

Feels like a regurgitation of facts and names - not very engaging. DNF @ 20%

[J.K. Brandau · Rating 5 out of 5]

Once I started reading this dubious looking birthday gift, it proved difficult to put down. A remarkable, well-researched, well-written history of the “Star Spangled Banner” - both the flag and the national anthem. McMillan provides astute analysis of historical events and symbols. The book is a timely work indeed! The text appropriately credits the Armistead family for preserving the Fort McHenry flag. Duly addressed are the stellar military careers and heroisms of Major George Armistead and his illustrious brothers in the War of 1812. The author notes relationship of the Major’s better-known nephew Confederate General Lewis A. Armistead of Gettysburg legend. Understandably, this book was no place to “rabbit trail” the all-too-real man exposed in my book “Lions of the Dan: The Untold Story of Armistead’s Brigade.” Over all, “Our Flag was Still There” is a much-needed history and a good read.

[GordieF · Rating 5 out of 5]

This approachable walk through a unique period of our history is well researched and packed full of facts. An appropriate read for students, scholars and history buffs. McMillan serves up a winner here!

[Luke Mohamed · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tom is master at weaving narrative of logic/reason into a complex story. It feels like you're hearing the story from the author at a local pub. I love his use of quotes to add color to sentences, a simple "Our Flag" instead of our flag helps add drive the story home.