Francis Scott Key, a Frederick County, Maryland, native, penned the words that would eventually be adopted as the national anthem of the United States. The thirty-five-year-old lawyer and amateur poet was inspired by the iconic flag flying over Baltimore's Fort McHenry in the dawn's early light, following the British bombardment on September 13 and 14, 1814. The poem was set to music and, later, renamed. It became the national anthem in 1931.
In the world's third-largest theater district, there are possibilities for music lovers of every genre. No matter the client, odds are good there is a performance in Toronto that will please. Groups Today takes a look at some favorite venues.
Traverse City, Michigan, is gaining attention as a top travel destination. In fact, Travel + Leisure magazine recently ranked Traverse City as one of America's Favorite Towns, and Trip Advisor has named it one of its Top Midwest Travel Spots.
Québec City, Québec, is consistently named one of the Top North America Destinations by the Student & Youth Travel Association (SYTA). The city has everything you could possibly desire for a student or other group trip: Museums, a historic district with UNESCO World Heritage Site status, military fortifications, and a traditional Huron aboriginal village provide numerous learning opportunities. In 2013, Condé Nast magazine listed Québec City as the best travel destination in Canada, third in North America, and tenth in the world.
The Deep Creek Lake area in western Maryland welcomes the International Canoe Federation (ICF) canoe slalom world championships this fall, from September 17 to 21. Olympic-level athletes will compete for the title. The event will be held at the Adventure Sports Center International in Garrett County, Maryland, three hours from Washington, D.C., and Baltimore, and just two hours from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The unique venue is home to the only mountaintop recirculating whitewater course. With the turn of a dial, the course can ramp up from Class I to Class IV rapids, which makes it accessible to professional athletes and beginners, alike.