The War of 1812 By khogan6 1802 British begins to impress American sailors and force them to work on British Ships. Jun 18, 1812 The United States declares war on Great Britain Jul 12, 1812 General William Hull invades Canada from Detroit Jan 9, 1813 Great Britain declares war on the United States May 1, 1813 American forces evacuate York; Siege of Fort Meigs near modern day Toledo Ohio begins Aug 8, 1814 Peach negotiations begin in Ghent Sep 14, 1814 Francis Scott Key writes the first lines of the poem which would become the "The Star Spangled Banner." Dec 24, 1814 The Treaty of Ghent is signed Dec 28, 1814 The Treaty of Ghent is ratified by the British Feb 16, 1815 The United States Senate ratifies the Treaty of Ghent Feb 18, 1815 The Treaty of Ghent is declared; the War of 1812 is over