GETTING INSIDE KEY'S MIND

It's been very sweet investigating the circumstances surrounding the writing of the Star Spangled Banner, especially since it's so near to the fourth of July when flags are popping up everywhere.

There's so many beautiful, stirring details forgotten or never learned that surround Key's story. Most of us know he was on board a ship in the harbor overlooking Fort McHenry during the bombardment when the inspiration hit him. Fewer people recall that he was on a mission to save his Scottish friend,...