click to enlarge
The War of 1812 keeps a low profile in American history. While we country bumpkins scored an upset against the Brits in the Revolutionary War, the rematch yielded far fewer bragging rights. Even though the British Empire was busy waging war against Napoleon’s army, they still found time to sack our capital and burn the White House. But the years of stalemate that followed eventually led to the Treaty of Ghent, which ended the war and restored the status quo ante bellum. Signed in Europe, news of the treaty didn’t reach the States for two months, and during that interim Gen. Andrew Jackson led a U.S. battalion to a decisive victory at the Battle of New Orleans. The victory launched Jackson’s national celebrity, which eventually landed him the presidency. For decades the anniversary of the battle was celebrated nationwide, and as much as the national bank and Native Americans would come to rue the day, it served as the initial push that would usher in the Age of Jackson. This commemoration will feature a traditional wreath-laying on Jackson’s grave, a speech from U.S. Congressman Jim Cooper and more.
Fri., Jan. 8, 10 a.m., 2010
Fri., Jan. 8, 10 a.m., 2010
Comments (0)