In 1814, while the British fleet was in Chesapeake Bay, Mr. Key attempted to secure the release of his friend Dr. William Beane, of Marlboro, Md., who had been captured. He was held on shipboard during the shelling of Fort McHenry on the night of September 13. Key’s anxiety became intense. With the first approach of dawn Mr. Key turned his eyes in the direction of the fort and its flag, but darkness had given place to a heavy fog. Finally, through a vista in the smoke and vapor he could dimly see the flag of his country. Overjoyed and inspired by the sight, he composed The Star-Spangled Banner. This is now our national anthem by an act of Congress approved March 3, 1931, as follows: _Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled_, That the composition consisting of words and music known as The Star-Spangled Banner is designated the national anthem of the United States of America. The historic flag that flew over Fort McHenry is on exhibition at the Historical Museum of the Smithsonian Institution. TUDOR PLACE [Illustration: TUDOR PLACE, THIRTY-FIRST AND Q STREETS] Tudor Place, located at Thirty-first and Q Streets NW., is one of the fine examples of the architecture of the early days of the Republic in Washington. It was designed by Dr. William Thornton, Architect of the Capitol, and built about 1805 by Thomas Peter, who was one of the original landowners of the District of Columbia. Mr. Peter married Martha Parke Custis, Mrs. Washington’s granddaughter. Tudor Place is still the residence of lineal descendants of Martha Washington and contains many heirlooms of the family. General Lafayette and other distinguished visitors were entertained here. [Illustration: ROCK CREEK CHURCH] Tudor Place to-day is well preserved, and its gardens give it added beauty. [Illustration: TUDOR PLACE, SHOWING GARDENS ON THE EAST SIDE] ROCK CREEK CHURCH (ST. PAUL’S) IN ROCK CREEK CEMETERY Rock Creek Church is to the north of the Soldiers’ Home. The original building was erected by the people of the Eastern Branch and Rock Creek in 1719 in what was then St. Paul’s Parish, and was for many years the oldest parish church in the District of Columbia. It was rebuilt in 1775 and remodeled in 1868. It burned on April 6, 1921, but was again rebuilt. In 1726 the separation of this parish from St. John’s (Georgetown) marked a religious era in the future National Capital. Of the seven men appointed to establish the town of Georgetown, five were officers of this parish. In the cemetery surrounding the church is the famous Adams Memorial by Saint-Gaudens. CHRIST CHURCH