Smithsonian's History Explorer Resources Related To "Andrew Jackson's Uniform Coat"

Interactive Star-Spangled Banner

Mon, 05 Nov 2012 15:53:59 GMT

Explore features of the Star-Spangled Banner using this interactive flag included in the online exhibition entitled The Star-Spangled Banner: The Flag that Inspired the National Anthem. Using this interactive tool, students can click on hotspots and learn something new about the flag each time they click. They can also zoom in on the image of the flag in order to see incredible detail.

Making the Star-Spangled Banner Classroom Videos

Thu, 19 Jul 2012 13:29:11 GMT

Watch four short videos to learn about the story of the Star-Spangled Banner, the flag that inspired the National Anthem. During the presentation, Mary Pickersgill (a historical figure with a fictional monologue) is working on a garrison flag to fly over Baltimore’s Fort McHenry. She speaks about the War of 1812, the process of creating the giant flag, and thoughts about the meaning of the flag. The presentation was created by the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History, where the flag that inspired the National Anthem is on display.

Making the Star-Spangled Banner Teacher Guide for the Classroom Videos

Thu, 19 Jul 2012 13:29:36 GMT

Watch and discuss a 12-minute video of a theater presentation about the Star-Spangled Banner, the flag that inspired the National Anthem. During the presentation, Mary Pickersgill (a historical figure with a fictional monologue) is working on a garrison flag to fly over Baltimore's Fort McHenry. She speaks about the War of 1812, the process of creating the giant flag, and thoughts about the meaning of the flag. The presentation and teacher guide were created by the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History, where the flag that inspired the National Anthem is on display.

This teacher guide also includes suggested extension activities and lyrics to the complete "Star-Spangled Banner" song.

A History of the War of 1812 and The Star-Spangled Banner

Mon, 05 Nov 2012 15:54:19 GMT

Using this classroom activity, students will be able to cite the origins and outcome of the War of 1812 and be able to place the creation of the Star-Spangled Banner in a chronological framework. The activity includes a narrative about the war of 1812 and the history of the Star-Spangled Banner, vocabulary, discussion questions and extension activities. It is included in the online exhibition from the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History entitled The Star-Spangled Banner: The Flag that Inspired the National Anthem.

War of 1812

Mon, 16 Jul 2012 17:48:50 GMT

This website discusses the major events of the War of 1812, including the burning of Washington, and the battles of Fort McHenry and New Orleans. Students will learn from images and objects in the Museum's collections to shed light on the conflict that gave the country a new symbol, the Star-Spangled Banner, and a new hero, Andrew Jackson. This website is part of the online exhibition, The Price of Freedom: Americans at War. A non-flash version of this site is available: The War of 1812.

Maritime Nation 1800-1850

Fri, 20 Jul 2012 10:52:07 GMT

Students will learn how shipbuilders, mariners, and maritime merchants helped the United States defend itself and grow in this section of On the Water: Stories from Maritime America, an online exhibition. Topics covered are the roles that privateers played during the American Revolution and the War of 1812, immigration, early steam travel and coastal shipping in the Atlantic Ocean, the California Gold Rush, and the life-saving technology that was used to rescue the victims of shipwrecks.