War of 1812

The Chesapeake-Leopard Affair occurred on June 22, 1807, when the British warship HMS Leopard attacked and boarded the American frigate USS Chesapeake. This event strained relations between the United States and Britain, eventually leading to the War of 1812.

The infamous Leopard incident occurs when the British ship Leopard fires upon the United States frigate Chesapeake in Chesapeake Bay after the latter's commander, James Barron, refuses to surrender four British deserters on board, resulting in casualties on the U.S. frigate.

The Battle of Tippecanoe takes place, marking a significant conflict between American forces and Native American tribes led by Tenskwatawa and Tecumseh in the Indiana Territory.

The Battle of Tippecanoe took place on November 7, 1811, involving First Nations and American forces. It was a significant conflict in the lead-up to the War of 1812.

Angered by the attack on Prophetstown, Tecumseh entered an alliance with Britain to counter American expansion into their lands.

On June 18, 1812, James Madison signed a declaration of war against Great Britain, starting the War of 1812.

The War of 1812 was a conflict between the United States and Great Britain, primarily caused by British restrictions on U.S. trade and impressment of American sailors. President James Madison officially declared war on June 18, 1812, leading to battles in Canada and the United States.

President Madison signed a declaration of war against Britain after being unaware of the British decision to suspend orders-in-council against neutral shipping.

On August 16, 1812, British forces led by Major General Isaac Brock and Chief Tecumseh, along with indigenous warriors, successfully persuade U.S. Brigadier General William Hull to surrender Fort Detroit, marking the first major defeat for the U.S. in the War of 1812.

In a significant naval battle during the War of 1812, the USS Constitution, also known as 'Old Ironsides,' defeated the British warship HMS Guerriere. This victory boosted American morale and demonstrated the strength of the US Navy.

On December 29, 1812, the USS Constitution, also known as Old Ironsides, achieved a significant victory by defeating the British frigate HMS Java off the coast of Brazil. The battle lasted nearly three hours, resulting in the surrender of the British ship. This victory, along with other successes in 1812, led to a change in tactics by the Royal Navy.

Following the capture of Frenchtown by American forces, they faced an attack from the Western Confederacy and British troops, resulting in a brutal battle and a subsequent massacre of over 30 American prisoners.

On June 1, 1813, HMS Shannon captured USS Chesapeake in a significant naval battle during the War of 1812. Captain James Lawrence's famous last words 'Don’t give up the ship!' became a rallying cry for the U.S. Navy.

The Battle of Beaver Dams in 1813 sees a significant defeat for U.S. forces in the Niagara campaign as Canadian resident Laura Secord's warning to the British leads to an ambush by Grand River Iroquois, resulting in the surrender of the American troops.

Americans successfully repel a British assault on Fort Stephenson in Ohio, showcasing their defensive capabilities during the War of 1812.

The Battle of Put-In-Bay took place on September 10, 1813, during the War of 1812. It was a significant naval battle where the United States Navy, under the command of Oliver Hazard Perry, defeated the British Royal Navy, securing control of Lake Erie.

The Battle of Lake Erie happened on September 10, 1813, ending in a victory for the United States. It was a significant naval engagement during the War of 1812.

US forces under William Henry Harrison clashed with British Major-General Procter's British and Tecumseh's Aboriginal rearguard.

The Battle of the Thames in Upper Canada pitted Harrison’s U.S. cavalry and infantry against the British and their Indian allies. The British retreated, and the U.S. army victory secured white control of the northwest frontier. Shawnee political and military leader Tecumseh was killed in battle, severely weakening the Indian alliance he headed.

On October 5, 1813, the Battle of the Thames occurred where Proctor's British forces were defeated by American troops led by William Henry Harrison. This battle marked the end of British presence in the Northwest Territory during the War of 1812.

British forces capture a fort.

Fierce battle between British and American forces over artillery batteries, resulting in heavy casualties and intense close-quarter combat. The Americans withdraw the next day, with Lundy’s Lane considered one of the hardest fought engagements of the War of 1812.

The British forces entered Washington and set fire to the White House and the Capitol during the War of 1812.

During the War of 1812, British forces invaded Washington, D.C., and set fire to many public buildings, including the White House and the Capitol. This event was a significant blow to American morale but also inspired a sense of national unity and resilience.

The American forces achieved victory at the Battle of Lake Champlain, which was the last great naval battle of the War of 1812. This victory may have played a positive role in concluding the Treaty of Ghent.

The Battle of Lake Champlain took place on September 11, 1814, during the War of 1812. It was a significant naval battle between British and American forces.

After burning Washington, DC, the British return to their fleet and proceed up the Chesapeake Bay to Baltimore. They find the city too well-defended to attack and withdraw after a 25-hour bombardment of Fort McHenry. Francis Scott Key witnesses the bombardment and writes a poem that later becomes the US national anthem.

During the bombardment of Fort McHenry on September 13, 1814, Francis Scott Key watched from a British ship. He described the intense battle and the sight of the American flag still flying defiantly at dawn on September 14, signifying the fort's victory.

The Battle of Fort McHenry took place during the War of 1812, where American forces successfully defended the fort against British naval bombardment. This event inspired Francis Scott Key to write the poem 'Defence of Fort M'Henry,' which later became the lyrics of the US national anthem, the Star-Spangled Banner.

On October 19, 1814, the Battle of Cooks Mills took place, marking the last fight in Upper Canada during the War of 1812.

McArthur’s Raid into Upper Canada occurred from October 22 to November 17, 1814. Brigadier General Duncan McArthur led a force of 720 mounted men, including indigenous warriors, on a deep raid into Upper Canada from Detroit. The raid aimed to disrupt British supplies by destroying mills and culminated in the Battle of Malcolm’s Mills on November 6.

The United States and Great Britain signed the Treaty of Ghent in Europe, officially ending the War of 1812.

The Treaty of Ghent, signed on December 24, 1814, officially ended the War of 1812 between the United States and Great Britain. The treaty restored pre-war borders and failed to address many of the issues that had led to the conflict.

The Treaty of Ghent was signed on December 25, 1814, marking the end of the War of 1812.

The Battle of New Orleans, a significant American victory led by General Andrew Jackson, took place in 1815. This battle boosted American morale and pride, despite occurring after the official end of the War of 1812.

The Battle of New Orleans took place on January 8, 1815, and was a significant victory for the United States during the War of 1812. It was led by General Andrew Jackson and marked the end of the war, even though it occurred after the peace treaty was signed.

The British launch a major assault against General Andrew Jackson's defenses south of New Orleans on January 8, following three preliminary engagements. The British suffer heavy losses, with over 2,000 casualties, while Jackson's forces only incur 70 losses. This battle marks the last major engagement of the War of 1812 and results in a significant American victory.

The news of the December 1814 Treaty of Ghent, which marks the end of the War of 1812, reaches the United States. Congress allocates $500,000 for the reconstruction of federal buildings in response to the treaty.

On February 17, 1815, the United States officially ratifies the Treaty of Ghent, which ended the War of 1812. The treaty was unanimously approved by the Senate and signed by President James Madison, solidifying peace between the United States and Great Britain.

The War of 1812 officially ended on February 18, 1815, with the signing of the Treaty of Ghent, restoring pre-war borders and resolving outstanding issues between the United States and Great Britain.

The Rush-Bagot Agreement was signed on April 28, 1817, between the United States and Great Britain, limiting naval armaments on the Great Lakes.