5 Things You Probably Didn't Know About the War of 1812_3
On August 24, 1814, during the War of 1812, British troops entered Washington, D.C. and burned the White House. Here are five fascinating facts you probably didn't know about the War of 1812...
The War of 1812 Went on for 32 Months
Calling it the War of 1812 can be confusing since it went on for 32 months after the United States declared war on Great Britain in 1812. The War of 1812 lasted longer than the Spanish-American War and theMexican-American-War. It even lasted longer than America’s involvement in World War I.
The Biggest Battle Occurred After the Peace Treaty Was Signed
The largest battle of the war, and one where the United States was victorious, occurred at the Battle of New Orleans in January 1815. This was several weeks following the signing of the peace treaty at Ghent, Belgium, by British and U.S. envoys. Despite the signing of the peace treaty, the war wasn’t officially over until President James Madison and the Senate ratified the peace treaty on February 16, 1815.
Francis Scott Key Literally Described What He Saw
When Francis Scott Key wrote the poem that became “The Star-Spangled Banner” while at Fort McHenry, he mentioned “bombs bursting in air” and “the rocket’s red glare,” which wasn’t exactly poetic license. The bombs Key saw were cannonballs that weighed 200 pounds and exploded over their target. The British missiles were Congreves that resembled bottle rockets, so they appeared to observers as long sticks that spun in the air affixed to a cylindrical-shaped canister.
Canadians Celebrate the War of 1812
During the War of 1812, America actually decided to invade and occupy Canada, believing that the Canadians would welcome them with open arms, but the opposite was true. American troops were met with heavy resistance by the British loyalists who had retreated to Canada after the American Revolution, French-Canadians and Native Americans. Although Americans do not celebrate the War of 1812, Canadians do.
New Englanders Thought About Seceding During the War
It was during the War of 1812 that the subjects of secession, states’ rights and nullification were voiced, but it was by those who lived in New England. New England residents were opposed to the war from the beginning and suffered greatly from the naval blockades set up by the British. During the last weeks of 1814, New England delegates met to discuss the possibility of secession, which was ultimately dismissed, however, they continued to support nullification and states’ rights.