We just learned about the Congreve Rockets.
Another part of rocket history is the HMS Erebus Rockets.
In 1814 during the war of 1812 fought against the British, a ship called the HMS Erebus had a bunch of Congreve Rockets put into it, and they were shooting them at other British ships.
While this was happening a man named Francis Scott Key was watching, and thought it was so amazing he wrote the Star Spangled Banner, talking about the "Rockets Red Glare".

(from: wikipedia - hms erebus (1807))
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