Battle of Baltimore Navy inspired Francis Scott Key to compose the poem "Defence of Fort McHenry", which later became the lyrics for "The Star-Spangled Banner", the national anthem of the United States of America. Future President James Buchanan served as Private in the defense of Baltimore. Until April 1814, Great Britain was at war with Napoleonic France, which limited British war aims in America. During this time the British primarily used a defensive strategy and repelled American invasions of the provinces of Upper and Lower Canada. However, the Americans gained naval control over Lake Erie in 1813, and seized parts of western Ontario.
Results of the War of 1812 seemed to be a successful fight against the United Kingdom increased to unite the United States into one nation. Meanwhile, the loss of the American flagship was conveniently overlooked by the public. The best-known patriotic legacy of the war was "The Star Spangled Banner." The words are by Francis Scott Key, who after the bombardment of Fort McHenry set them to the music of a British drinking song, "To Anacreon in Heaven." In 1889 the U.S. Navy began using "The Star Spangled Banner" at flag-raising ceremonies, a practice copied by the Army. In 1931, Congress made it the U.S. National