Final answer:
The exact number of cannonballs fired by the British at Fort McHenry is not detailed in the references, but we know the British bombarded the fort for 25 hours in 1814 without success, inspiring the 'Star Spangled Banner' and showcasing American resilience.
Step-by-step explanation:
The number of cannonballs fired by the British at Fort McHenry is not specified in the provided references. However, we know that the British attacked Fort McHenry in September 1814, under the command of Admiral Alexander Cochrane, hoping to force a surrender by bombarding the fort. Despite their efforts, the British were unable to take the fort, and the defenders proudly flew the American flag, known as the Star Spangled Banner, after the 25-hour-long attack, signaling their perseverance and victory.
The British bombardment inspired Francis Scott Key to write “The Star-Spangled Banner,” which later became the United States national anthem. The attack on Fort McHenry was part of a larger British campaign during the War of 1812, including the burning of Washington, D.C. The war eventually concluded with the Treaty of Ghent.