For anniversary of “The Star-Spangled Banner,” Obama in Baltimore
President Barack Obama landed in South Baltimore in a large helicopter shortly before 4 p.m. Friday in advance of a private tour of Fort McHenry.
The president’s second visit to Baltimore in as many years comes as Democrats are defending nearly a dozen Senate seats in the midterm elections. Obama’s unpopularity in battleground states such as Kentucky and Arkansas has buoyed GOP hopes of capturing the majority.
Just moments before, Blue Angels jets streaked across the same skies amid the Star-Spangled Spectacular events.
- People hold signs as well as wave and smile as the motorcade for President Barack Obama heads for a private residence during a visit of the president to the city and Fort McHenry Friday, Sep 12, 2014. (Karl Merton Ferron / Baltimore Sun)
- People hold signs as well as wave and smile as the motorcade for President Barack Obama heads for a private residence during a visit of the president to the city area and Fort McHenry Friday, Sep 12, 2014. (Karl Merton Ferron / Baltimore Sun)
- Visitors watch the scurrying of official and media during a visit of the president to the city and Fort McHenry Friday, Sep 12, 2014. (Karl Merton Ferron / Baltimore Sun)
- People aboard a cruise ship watch from the deck as the motorcade races up to I-95 toward Pikesville during a visit of the president to the city and Fort McHenry. (Karl Merton Ferron / Baltimore Sun)
- U.S. President Barack Obama leaves the Oval Office prior to his departure from the White House September 12, 2014 in Washington, DC. President Obama was traveling to Baltimore, Maryland, to attend a Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee fund raiser in the evening. (Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images)
- The Marine One, with U.S. President Barack Obama aboard, takes off from the White House September 12, 2014 in Washington, DC. President Obama was traveling to Baltimore, Maryland, to attend a Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee fund raiser in the evening. (Alex Wong/Getty Images)
- The presidential helicopter lands at Sun Park. (Barbara Haddock Taylor/Baltimore Sun)
- President Barack Obama exits his helicopter after landing at Sun Park this afternoon. (Barbara Haddock Taylor/Baltimore Sun)
- President Barack Obama walks toward a waiting limousine after landing in his helicopter at Sun Park this afternoon. (Barbara Haddock Taylor/Baltimore Sun)
- The presidential helicopter is in the background as the limousine carrying President Barack Obama leaves after he landed at Sun Park. (Barbara Haddock Taylor/Baltimore Sun)
- NPS ranger Vincent Vaise (left) walks up to the original document of the Star-Spangled Banner (center), penned by Francis Scott Key, with President Barack Obama who takes a brief tour with local dignitaries of Fort McHenry during a visit of the president to the city and Fort McHenry. Karl Merton Ferron/Baltimore Sun
- U.S. President Barack Obama arrives to look at a copy of the original manuscript of Francis Scott Key’s “The Star Spangled Banner” (L) at Fort McHenry in Baltimore, Maryland September 12, 2014. This weekend marks the 200th anniversary of the writing of “The Star-Spangled Banner.” (Kevin Lamarque/Reuters)
- The original manuscript of the Star Spangled Banner, penned by Francis Scott Key, on loan from the Maryland Historical Society, on display during a visit of the president to the city and Fort McHenry. Karl Merton Ferron/Baltimore Sun
- NPS ranger Vincent Vaise discusses the original document of the Star-Spangled Banner, penned by Francis Scott Key, to Pres. Barack Obama who takes a brief tour with local dignitaries of Fort McHenry. (Karl Merton Ferron/Baltimore Sun)
- NPS ranger Vincent Vaise (left) walks up to the original document of the Star-Spangled Banner (center), penned by Francis Scott Key, with President Barack Obama who takes a brief tour with local dignitaries of Fort McHenry during a visit of the president to the city and Fort McHenry. Karl Merton Ferron/Baltimore Sun
- NPS ranger Vincent Vaise (right) stands with President Barack Obama (center) who takes a brief tour with local dignitaries during a visit of the president to the city and Fort McHenry. Karl Merton Ferron/Baltimore Sun
- NPS ranger Vincent Vaise walks with President Barack Obama who takes a brief tour with local dignitaries during a visit of the president to the city and Fort McHenry Friday. Karl Merton Ferron/Baltimore Sun
- NPS ranger Vincent Vaise (back to camera) discusses the original document of the Star-Spangled Banner, penned by Francis Scott Key, to President Barack Obama who takes a brief tour with local dignitaries during a visit of the president to the city and Fort McHenry. Karl Merton Ferron/Baltimore Sun
- NPS ranger Vincent Vaise (left) approaches the original document of the Star-Spangled Banner, penned by Francis Scott Key, with President Barack Obama, followed by Burt Kummerow, President and CEO of the Maryland Historical Society (back right) who take a brief tour with local dignitaries of Fort McHenry. Karl Merton Ferron/Baltimore Sun
- US President Barack Obama listens to explanations as he views the manuscript of the Star Spangled Banner while touring Fort McHenry in Baltimore, Maryland, on September 12, 2014. Fort McHenry is best known for its successful defense of Baltimore Harbor from the British navy on September 1314, 1814. (Nicholas Kamm/AFP/Getty Images)