Fort Mchenry

Baltimore's Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine, site of a key battle in the War of 1812 and birthplace of "The Star Spangled Banner," will be in the spotlight during many of the Star Spangled Sailabration events June 13 to 19. Officials say they expect 20,000 or more people to visit the star-shaped fort on each of two days, June 16 and 17, for shows by the Blue Angels and for fireworks and a concert on the evening of June 16....

Baltimore will launch its commemoration of the War of 1812 by land, sea and air this week, starting with parachute jumps into Camden Yards and a parade of tall ships into the harbor. The history-filled week features music, fireworks and an air show over Fort McHenry. The festivities kick off Wednesday with the arrival of 18 tall ships boasting sails on masts several stories high and dozens of Navy vessels. Visitors - as many as 1 million are expected, according to organizers - can catch glimpses of the ships in full sail entering the port and then tour and mingle with the crews.

Amid a flurry of international flags, thunderous fireworks and rowdy pirates Tuesday, Baltimore invited the world to its star-spangled salute to the bicentennial of the War of 1812 that starts next week. State and local officials gathered to publicize Sailabration, a maritime and air festival that begins its six-day run in the city on June 13. The city will welcome 18 tall ships and dozens of Navy vessels to its harbor and all will be open for free tours throughout the festival. The Navy's celebrated Blue Angels will perform shows over Fort McHenry and numerous activities for all ages are scheduled throughout the city and at Glenn L. Martin Airport in Baltimore County.

Baltimore's free bus, the Charm City Circulator, takes on its newest destination next week, Fort McHenry. Beginning Monday, the route known as the Banner will begin linking riders from Light Street through the harbor and South Baltimore and Locust Point to the fort's gates. It will traverse a renovated Fort Avenue Bridge, which neighborhood activist Karen Johns successfully clamored to have repaired, in time for the Sailabration festivities this month. I've watched this novel bus system operate for nearly 30 months.

The algae blooms fouling Baltimore area waters apparently have claimed more victims, as more dead fish have been spotted floating in the Inner Harbor and washing ashore at Fort McHenry just south of downtown. Investigators with the Maryland Department of the Environment , who saw upwards of 100,00 dead fish in creeks south of the city Wednesday and hundreds more in Dundalk, confirmed the Inner Harbor die-off today. MDE spokesman Jay Apperson said the harbor's mahogany colored water fit the same recipe for a fish kill.  He offered no estimate of how many dead fish there were, noting that the city's trash-skimming boats were scooping them up, "but as soon as they go by, there's more.

The coastal flood advisory that has been in effect for parts of the Chesapeake Bay the last two mornings is a result of the full moon and sustained winds, according to the National Weather Service. Tides a foot higher than normal are expected, and have already been seen in lower parts of the bay. The U.S. Naval Academy's first high tide was at 7:47 a.m., Fort McHenry's was at 9 a.m. and Havre de Grace's around noon. High tides are expected again at 7:51 p.m. in Annapolis, 9:26 p.m. at Fort McHenry, 10:18 p.m. at Bowley's Quarters and 12:46 a.m. at Havre de Grace.

WEATHER Today's forecast calls for mostly cloudy skies in the Baltimore area, with showers and a high near 81 degrees. Tuesday night is expected to be mostly cloudy, with a low around 60 degrees. TRAFFIC Check our traffic updates for this morning's issues as you plan your commute. FROM LAST NIGHT... Henson suggests 'robocall' prosecution politically motivated : Political consultant Julius Henson plans to suggest in court this week that he is being prosecuted by the state's Democratic establishment only because he dared to work for Republicans, his attorney said Monday.

Free circulator bus service will be extended to Fort McHenry in Locust Point, city officials said Monday. Called the Banner Route, the new service will provide a free bus link to the historic site beginning in June, in time for bicentennial celebrations of the War of 1812. U.S. Rep. John P. Sarbanes joined Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake and his father, former Sen. Paul S. Sarbanes, in announcing the Charm City Circulator service to Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine on Fort Avenue.

Baltimore's two-year commemoration of the War of 1812 began dramatically Saturday at the site of the British bombardment of Fort McHenry. Students from the Baltimore School for the Arts chose the fort for their open-air staging of "Fighting for Freedom," a three-scene play that looks at the war's impact on everyday life. They delivered thought-provoking plots to an audience of several hundred who spread across the grass, where a moat had once helped protect the fort. The sun shone on the actors and the sound crew adjusted quickly to the brisk winds.

Lady Baltimore has withstood much in 189 years perched overlooking Courthouse Square. She has lost both of her arms over the decades — one of them, holding high a wreath that signifies service to the republic, was sheared off by a gust of wind in January 1938, shattering on the pavement. And though it may be hard to tell from the street 52 feet below, wind, rain, snow, hail and pollution have dissolved much of the marble statue's eyes, nose and ears. But a new effort will finally give Lady Baltimore a new home — for her own good.