A bill introduced by Rep. Wayne T. Gilchrest (R-Maryland-1st) to start the process of establishing a National Historic Trail to commemorate the battle that led to the writing of the Star Spangled Banner during the War of 1812, unanimously passed the House of Representatives.

The bill authorizes a study to determine whether such a trail should be added to the National Trails System. There are currently nine national historic trails, three of which commemorate military campaigns. The Star Spangled Banner Trail would be the first historic trail in the mid-Atlantic region.

As proposed, the trail would wind through eight counties in Maryland as well as Washington, D.C. and the city of Baltimore. The trail would retrace the route of British forces in the summer of 1814 including British Naval invasions in the Upper Chesapeake Bay in Cecil County and the battle of Caulk's Field in Kent County. It also will include the burning of the U.S. Capitol and the White House, and the route of American defenses which ultimately led to Fort McHenry on September 14, 1814 and the Battle of Baltimore.

It was that battle in Baltimore's harbor that inspired 35-year-old Washington lawyer, Francis Scott Key, to write the poem which later became our national anthem, The Star Spangled Banner.

"The bill offers a unique opportunity to teach each generation about the incredible events during the War of 1812 that occurred right here in Maryland," Gilchrest said. "And to learn how close we came to losing our precious independence. This trail will not only teach Americans about the War of 1812, but it will help us remember our forefathers who gave their lives fighting for our freedom."

A similar bill has been introduced by Senator Sarbanes in the Senate and is awaiting action.