In 1814 Georgetown, lawyer Francis Scott Key believes the government is not doing enough to protect the country from the warring British. He is not afraid to air his views, unpopular amongst the military/political circle in which he travels, especially as it is coming from a civilian. His views embarrass his wife, Mary Key, who believes they are unpatriotic. As such, those views unknowingly threaten their marriage. Francis believes someone or something needs to bring the nation together as one, but doesn’t yet know who or what that is. After a night-long battle where the British attacked Fort McHenry, the still flying American flag at the fort “by the dawn’s early light” and comments made to that fact representing the resilience of Americans inspires Francis to write a poem which his friend Col. John Skinner thinks could be the means to bring the nation together. That poem would become the lyrics to “The Star Spangled Banner”.