Cover photo

The War of 1812: Chronology of Major Events

By MsJackson
  • The United States declared war on Great Britain.

    The United States declared war on Great Britain.

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That war be and the same is hereby declared to exist between the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland and the dependencies thereof, and the United States of America and their territories; and that the President of the United States is hereby authorized to use the whole land and naval force of the United States to carry the same into effect, and to issue to private armed vessels
  • British forces won the Battle of Queenston Heights in Canada.

    British forces won the Battle of Queenston Heights in Canada.

    Image: "Push on, brave York Volunteers!" A mortally wounded Brock urges the Canadian militia forward. Apocryphal reconstruction, oil on canvas.
  • Battle of Frenchtown

    Battle of Frenchtown

    An American army advancing toward Detroit was defeated and captured at Frenchtown on the Raisin River.
  • Americans capture York

    Americans capture York

    American forcess captured York (now Toronto), the capital of Upper Canada. They later burned some public buildings.
  • American naval forces under Master-Commandant Oliver Hazard Perry won the Battle of Lake Erie

    American naval forces under Master-Commandant Oliver Hazard Perry won the Battle of Lake Erie

    n September 10, 1813, Perry's fleet defeated and captured the British fleet. Perry's flagship, the Lawrence, was badly damaged during the battle, but he simply boarded a lifeboat, rowed to the undamaged Niagara, and continued leading his fleet. This victory marked the first time an entire British fleet was forced to surrender. When the British surrender was complete, Perry sent this message to Major General William
    Oliver Hazard Perry
  • The Battle of Thames

    The Battle of Thames

    American forces under General William Henry Harrison won the Battle of the Thames River in Moraviantown, an Indian village in Canada.
  • Crossing the Niagara

    Crossing the Niagara

    British forces crossed the Niagara River, captured Fort Niagara, and burned Buffalo and neighboring villages.
  • The Battle of Chippewa

    The Battle of Chippewa

    American forces under Major General Jacob Brown and Brigadier General Winfield Scott crossed the Niagara River from Buffalo and defeated the British at the Battle of Chippewa.
  • Burning of the White House

    Burning of the White House

    British troops invaded Washington, D.C., and burned the Capitol and the White House.
  • Battle of Lake Champlain

    Battle of Lake Champlain

    American naval forces defeated a British fleet in the Battle of Lake Champlain.
  • The Treaty of Ghent

    The Treaty of Ghent

    The Americans and the British signed a peace treaty in Ghent, Belgium.
    The Treaty of Ghent 1814
  • The Battle of New Orleans

    The Battle of New Orleans

    The Battle of New OrleansAmerican forces under General Andrew Jackson won the Battle of New Orleans (2012, Novemeber 7). Retrieved
    from http://www.robinsonlibrary.com/america/unitedstates/1783/1809/1809/warof1812.htm