Competition in canada. When the orioles are in toronto or when the flyers are there, we play the canadian anthem and the american anthem and then we get at it. I have to admit to you, i have to admit that sometimes when we compete at the Olympic Games and we do not come out on top and you are getting the gold medal presented to it the United States of america and we stand at attention when the flag is raised, we grind our teeth in respect when that happens. We have been friends. We have been allies ever since the war of 1812. We both claim we won the war of 1812. Canada was a little under estimated. I think jefferson said we just march in. We like to be underestimated. But we like to be reliable allies with our nato partners and with our neighbors and partners of the United States of america. [ applause ] we have been together in world wars, in korea. We are transitioning out of afghanistan together. We were together in libya. We worked together in all the threats that we might have in our neighborhood and around the world. Again, just last weekend in wales, under the chairmanship of Prime Minister cameron, canada, United States and the nato countries pledged to stand on guard for the people of the ukraine or for the ukraine and we pledge to stand together dealing against any terrorist threat against the United States, against canada and against any other nato country. That is our pledge today after 200 years of commemoration of this flag. And that is our pledge and our future to always be friends and allies together. Thank you. [ applause ] thank you very much. Now, please welcome maryland senior senator and the longest serving woman in the history of the United States congress, senator barbara mikulski. Senator . Good evening, everybody. Welcome to fort mchenry, our National Historic shrine. Isnt this a great evening to make sure that the United States of america will always be the home of the brave and the land of the free, no matter who comes at us, any time, anywhere, any place in the world. [ applause ] during the battle of 1812, we know that we took on one of the most powerful nations in the world, the british. We stood tall and we stood strong and we beat them back at the battle of north point. After 25 hours of bombardment, we said we beat them back here and the famous battle of fort mchenry. Scott key watched this and, of course, wrote his famous ballad that became our National Anthem. Fort mchenry has seen history and it has made history. People have passed this fort on the way to greatness. A young slave sailed up the bay by the name of frederick douglas. He sailed past fort mchenry and its great flag and sailed into history to be one of our greatest abolitionists. A young woman from poland 16 years ago at the age of 16 sailed up the Chesapeake Bay along with thousands and thousands of immigrants. She came from poland. She was my great grandmother. She told me when she saw the flag she knew she was in the United States of america. This right here at fort mchenry and in this area, we organized ourselves to fight not only for the battle of baltimore for our country, but we organized the great arsenal of democracy to fight for the battle of britain and to save europe from nazis. The battle of north point became Sparrows Point where we made steel. Here in locust point, we made liberty ships. In essex they made planes. We organized not to fight but to save britain. One of the most enduring alliances among people between two nations is the Transatlantic Alliance between the United States and great britain. So tonight it was great honor that i bring to the stage a representative of her majestys government, a representative of a government that has been with us in triumph and in some of our darkest days. Sir british excuse me. Sir peter westmacott, an accomplished diplomat and a distinguished statesman. We thank you for your friendship and the enduring relationship. [ applause ] senator, thank you so much for that very warm welcome. Despite what happened 200 years ago. Its a huge privilege to be with you here this evening on this 200th anniversary of an important moment in the history of this country and my country and actually in the history of western civilization as a whole. It has been a year for anniversaries. A few months ago we celebrated the 50th anniversary of another british invasion, the beatles. Late they are year, we are going to welcome the lincoln cathedral magna carta. Its going to come here because, frankly, often here in america, you appreciate that document more than we do at home as Winston Churchill called it one of the title deeds of liberty. We are looking forward to having that moment in washington. For americans, of course, the siege of fort mchenry is best known as a great battle described in your anthem and in the other shows and pictures that we have seen this evening. Its well worth commemorating for that reason. But the siege, the battle, the wider war of 1812 also carry a broader significance for brits and americans and canadians. Much more than the war itself, we celebrate the peace that followed and the extraordinary friendship which senator mikulski outlined now when blossomed from the piece. I was proud to see the pipes and drups alongside the president s own just now. Im proud that hmr is alongside ships of the u. S. Navy not far from here. Two centuries on, we count each other as indispensable allies. An unparalleled special relationship which goes seriously deep. Shared culture, trade and investment, shared fundamental values reaffirmed at the nato summit at the end of last week in south wales where the president was there with 60 other heads of government, 70 Foreign Ministers and defense ministers. An extraordinary moment. This fort preserved by Americas National park service is hallowed ground. I believe it will not only endure but continue to reach new heights in the years, decades and centuries ahead. Thank you for the privilege of being with you this evening to celebrate this great occasion. [ applause ] senator, ambassador, i think you very much. The United States marine band will perform my country tis of three features Master Sergeant kevin banier. This was one of the defactor anthems of the United States before the starspangled banner was conferred, the distinction by the National Legislation in 1931. Written in 1831, like the starspangled banner it used an existing british melody to carry the lyrics in this case the National Anthem of the united kingdom, god save the queen. My native thee and all the noble three thy name i love i love thy rocks and ridge thy wood and temple hills my heart with rapture thrills like that above my country tis of thee sweet land of liberty of thee i sing land where my fathers died land of the pilgrims pride from every mountainside let freedom ring let freedom, let freedom ring [ applause ] we are honored to be join by the march began State University choir as we present two of our most beloved and cherished songs, songs that have stood the test of time. The lyrics to battle him of the republic were written by jewel kwa ward howell during the civil war. She awoke during the night and much like Francis Scott key feverishly wrote these words down in a sudden wave of inspiration. The lyrics to america the beautiful were also penned by another highly talented woman the name of Katherine Lee bates. She wrote this as a poem. It was combined with a melody written by samuel agustus ward. The song is what we know and lover. Here is the morgan state choir. Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the lord he is trampling out the vintage where the grapes of wrath are stored he hath loosed the fateful lightning of his terrible swift sword his truth is marching on glory glory hallelujah glory glory hallelujah glory glory hallelujah his truth is marching on i have seen him in the watch fires of 100 circling camps they have builded him an altar in the evening dews and damps i can read his righteous sentence by the dim and flaring lamps his day is marching on glory glory hallelujah glory glory hallelujah glory glory hallelujah his truth is marching on in the beauty of the lilies christ was born across the sea with the glory in his bosom that transfigured you and me as he died to make men whole let us live to make men free our god is marching on glory glory hallelujah glory glory hallelujah glory glory hallelujah his truth is marching on glory glory hallelujah glory glory hallelujah glory glory hallelujah his truth is marching on oh beautiful for spacious skies for amber waves of grain for purple mountains majesty above the fruited plain America America god shed his grace on thee and crown thy good with brotherhood from sea to shining sea o beautiful for pilgrim feet whose stern impassioned stress a thoroughfare for freedom beat across the wilderness America America god mend thine every flaw confirm thy soul in selfcontrol thy liberty in law America America god shed his grace on thee and crown thy good with brotherhood from sea to shining sea from sea to shining sea [ applause ] oh, beautiful for spacious skies for purple mountains majesty upon the fruited plain America America god shed his grace on thee and crown thy good with brotherhood from sea to shining sea o beautiful for pilgrim feet whose stern impassioned stress a thoroughfare for freedom beat across the wilderness America America god mend thine every flaw confirm thy soul in selfcontrol. Oh, beautiful America America god shed his grace on thee and crown thy good with brotherhood from sea to shining sea from sea to shining sea [ applause ] your United States marine band and the morgan State University choir, once again, ladies and gentlemen. [ applause ] our distinguished speakers this evening have so accurately addressed the flag, the anthem. What this moment means to not only baltimore, maryland, but the entire nation. There are a number of distinguished americans who also have a few words to say about what this occasion means to them. Again, the jumbo screen, if you will. My greatest memory of all with the beautiful starspangled banner was on the podium at the olympics in 1976. The great sense of pride when they play the National Anthem. Standing there saluting. You were a part of that. Every time i hear it, it gives me a new sense of pride. It represents the unity we have as american citizens. Transformed just like United States is transformed over time. Still keep and hold on to our values and ideals like the sung, but it changed along with us. To honor 220 times a year, counting spring training. Theres not a time during the course of it you dont think about the words, the meaning. Every event, every sporting event that ever plays the one unique thing and consistent thing we all do is we sing the starspangled banner. It poses a question to us as americans. Its a question that we have to answer both individually and as a community. The challenge is on us as american citizens to stand up for whats right. To keep this the land of the free and the home of the brave i think is very important, that we strive for that. I like the land line. Oh, say does that starspangled banner yet wave over the land of the free and the home of the brave. Ladies and gentlemen, before i go, let me say what a pleasure it has been to be with you. I hope you enjoy the rest of the program. At this time it gives me great plush to introduce you to the governor of the great state of maryland, a man who i think participated in just about every starspangled event we have had here the past four or five days. Ladies and gentlemen, the honorable martin omalley. [ applause ] good evening. To our distinguished guests and my fellow citizens, 200 years ago here in this place and in the trenches that have been dug all around our city, the people of baltimore joined together to save their homes, to save their city and to save the United States of america. They were black and white people. They were nativeborn and immigrant people. But they joined together regardless of race or differences of class or distinctions of creed. And they carried the day. The starspangled banner, that giant flag, was sewed itself together by black and white hands, hands of freedom, hands of bondage, american hands. Look around you. Look to the people in front of you and behind you and to the left and to the right of you and you will see the faces of the first generation of americans since those days 200 years ago to see and to grieve americans killed on american soil, to witness our own president fleeing danger in our homeland of the United States, to see our government buildings burning and under attack in washington. There is more that unites us than divides us. In 1814 on this date, in this place, one state, one maryland chose to step forward and take responsibility for saving the United States of america. And this year together we fulfill another important responsibility, and that is to help each other remember that our country often goes through times of deep division, times when it seems that nothing is working and that the odds are stacked against us, times when it seems that theres no way that we will see it through to the other side. But we all possess, as americans, a power that is far greater than any forces sent against us or any challenges or foes on our horizon, and it is the power of the believes we share. A belief in the dignity of every individual, a belief in our own responsibility to advance and to defend our common good and the belief that, yes, in fact, thank god, we are all in this together. It is the powerful idea that for many diverse and different people cops from strong nation. It is now my great honor to introduce to you a man who believes in his core in the future of our country and its goodness, a native son of delmarva, the Vice President of the United States, joe biden. [ applause ] thank you very much. Governor, thank you for that introduction. Although, i cant see the first row, i understand my friend Paul Sarbanes is down there and the delegation and barbara mikulski. And i cant see but i know the whole delegation is there. Its a delight to be here. Governor Paul Sarbanes knows i only have one regret tonight. Im so flattered to be invited. My father is not here. The biden family landed here in baltimore in 1825. Was here until my father moved from baltimore when he was in his teens. Matter of fact, my great, great grandfather married a woman named elkins. They had been in Baltimore County since i believe 1627. So the roots go deep here although i never lived here. I regret my father is not here to celebrate tonight. Folks, imagine the sight that greeted Francis Scott key staring through the distance at that flagpole 50 yards behind me. Asking a simple question, does that starspangled banner yet wave . That question and its implicit aspiration has echoed through every perilous fight america has engaged in through the past two centuries. Did that starspangled banner yet wave in the morning mist 200 years ago . Did it continue to wave 50 years later at the dawns early light broke over a nation torn apart by a civil war . Did that starspangled banner wave over america troops in the trenches in france, the beaches of normandy . The simple question, did that starspangled banner wave over six marines at iwo jima, three firemen and ground zero and one astronaut on the moon . Did it wave over the Supreme Court ordering the nations schools desegregated . Did it wave over the schoolhouse in little rock where brave children tested that promise . Did it wave on the shoulders of women marching for the right to vote . Does it yet wave wherever voices are raised for equal rights in this country . Does that starspangled banner wave over every embassy, every forward position, every ship, every man and woman deployed in the service of the United States of america . Yes, it waves. Does it wave on the front porches of families waiting out the deployments like my wife did silently praying for the return of their warrior from afghanistan . Does that starspangled banner yet wave over every firehouse, ballpark, neighborhood, every town and city in this great nation . Ladies and gentlemen, Francis Scott keys question persists to this day. Does that starspangled banner yet wave over the land of the free . The answer is yes and it will now and forever because it does not just wave above us. It lives in our hearts. The heart of every american. We are americans, and as every american enemy has whoever faced us has learned, its never, never, ever been a good bet to bet against the United States of america [ applause ] because we are one nation, under god, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. May god bless you all and protect our troops and continue to bless the United States of america. Thank you. [ applause ] ladies and gentlemen, please rise for the singing of our National Anthem performed by the president s own United States marine band, the morgan State University choir and jordin sparks. [ applause ] if we could put our hands over our hearts. I think thats fitting here. O say, can you see by the dawns early light what so proudly we hailed at the twilights last gleaming . Whose broad stripes and bright stars through the perilous fight oer the ramparts we watched were so gallantly streaming . And the rockets red glare the bombs bursting in air gave proof through the night that our flag was still there oh, say, does that starspangled banner yet wave oer the land of the free and the home of the brave . You are watching American History tv. 48 hours of programming on American History every weekend on cspan3. Sunday, house of representative and elliott use fate i facts and they begin with the election of gentleman net rankin and ending with Margaret Shea smith. Thats at 10 00 and 6 00 p. M. Eastern time on cspan3. Next, we continue our coverage of events marking the 200th anniversary of the starspangled banner. Fort mchenry in baltimore hosted a ceremony with keynote remarks by colin powell. A flag raising at the exact time 200 years ago that Francis Scott key saw a large American Flag hoisted above the fort signaling they had survived a bombardment by the british navy. That moment in 1814 inspired key to compose what would later become our National Anthem. This is American History tv on cspan3. We are honored here to have such a representation of our armed forces. At the moment, unrolling the handstitched replica flag, the United States army old guard. We have practically every Service Branch represented here today. The United States navy, United States army, United States marine corps, as well as our guests from canada and the united kingdom. [ applause ] taking the field now at the