[r9etb]

When was the time machine invented that sent the historian back in time to confirm this was just a fabrication?

It's long been considered as such. See, e.g., this discussion.

[normy]

Oh I know many people consider it bunk but no one really knows.

[normy]

By the way, nothing irritates me more than when history is changed by modern man unless its proven without a shadow of a doubt the original account was false.

In 20 years Francis Scott Key will not have actually been held prisoner but was a songwriter trying to sell his wares.