200 years ago today

[Morris at Heathfield]

On June 18, 1812, President James Madison signed into law "An Act Declaring War between the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland and the Dependencies Thereof and the United States of America and Their Territories", the United States' first formal declaration of war. The war continued until the U.S. Senate ratified the Treaty of Ghent on February 16, 1815. The U.S. and the U.K. have not gone to war against each other since then.

My ancestor, Elijah McClenahan, was commissioned major of the 2nd battalion in John C. Scott’s 1st Kentucky Volunteer Regiment, and was one of a handful of American soldiers who escaped death and capture at the Battle of Frenchtown, also known as the Battle of the River Raisin.

[JSFMACLJR]

We'll have to be very careful here how we approach the War of 1812. As a Canadian, it was a great victory for us, which seems to upset our American friends, although most seem not to care much about the War of 1812.

[Kilted Realtor]

we did burn the white house in that one didn't we. before we went home again?

[cable scot]

As one who has a BA in history an can understand how our northern neighbors feel about the 1812 war.Getting "your own back" feels good after the treatment y'all got in the previous border conflicts and French,English and Native wars

[Jock Scot]

I have to confess this war has passed me by and I have only a passing knowledge of what went on. Is there a good book on the event that I could refer to?

[Singlemalt]

Jock, if you are looking for the Canadian perspective, the broadcaster and historian Pierre Burton did a couple of books on the War of 1812 which are quite approachable with lots of the colourful background and characters.

Much of it was fought around the area I now live in SW Ontario. I drive by one battlefield marker several times a week (Battle of Malcolm's Mills). Who actually won this war is kind of debatable. The American's won the big final battle at New Orleans (although the war was already over and armistice signed in Ghent, but the Generals did not know it). From a Canadian point of view, we were invaded by a powerful army with the intention of subduing us and adding us to the Republic, we survived and are still here toasting the Queen, so we figure we won.

In the end there was significant loss of life and property on both sides yet no borders changed.

[creagdhubh]

...which seems to upset our American friends, although most seem not to care much about the War of 1812.

[SlackerDrummer]

We'll have to be very careful here how we approach the War of 1812. As a Canadian, it was a great victory for us, which seems to upset our American friends, although most seem not to care much about the War of 1812.

I didn't realize "victory" was Canadian for draw.

[Woodsheal]

Most Americans (except for those residing in northwest New York state), have indeed forgotten about the War of 1812. Some might recall the White House getting torched. Growing up I always sort of thought of it as a war at sea, with the stunning American victories over the Royal Navy being the highlights: USS Constitution vs. HMSs Java and Guerriere, USS United States vs. HMS Macedonian, the Battle of Lake Erie, etc. I was never very clear on the land actions.
Of course, there was that popular song about the Battle of New Orleans! "In 1814 we took a little trip...."

[Singlemalt]

I didn't realize "victory" was Canadian for draw.

If a terrier and a rottwieller get into a dispute and the terrier is able to to fight to a draw, and protect his home, I would consider that a victory for the terrier.