On Tuesday, June 25, 2024, the category for the Final Jeopardy round was “National Monuments,” a topic that often brings a mix of historical richness and geographical wonders to the forefront. The clue provided was a tantalizing geographical puzzle: “From its ramparts, you can see the mouth of the Patapsco River as it flows into Chesapeake Bay.”
What is Fort McHenry?
Fort McHenry is renowned for its crucial role during the War of 1812, specifically during the Battle of Baltimore. The fort successfully defended Baltimore Harbor from an attack by the British navy in September 1814. This event was the inspiration for Francis Scott Key to write what would become the United States national anthem, “The Star-Spangled Banner.”
The location of Fort McHenry is pivotal; it is situated at the tip of the Locust Point peninsula that juts out into the Patapsco River. This position allowed defenders of the fort to oversee the entire approach to Baltimore Harbor and the river’s mouth as it flows into Chesapeake Bay, aligning perfectly with the clue provided in Final Jeopardy.
The clue given in Final Jeopardy highlighted both the historical and geographical aspects of Fort McHenry. By mentioning the “ramparts,” it referenced the defensive walls from which soldiers and visitors alike can view the surrounding area. This detail not only hints at a fortified structure but also evokes the imagery of the American flag proudly flying over the fort during the 1814 battle, a scene immortalized by Key’s anthem.
In addition, clue’s reference to the strategic view of the Patapsco River’s mouth flowing into Chesapeake Bay underscores the fort’s military importance. This geographic feature was crucial for monitoring naval activities and protecting the city from seaborne attacks, thus providing a multi-dimensional challenge to the contestants to connect historical events with geographic landmarks.