 An
Overview of James Madison's Administration
The War of 1812 was the principal event during
Madison's administration. Our national anthem, The
Star-Spangled Banner, was written during the
war. And, while our nation's capital was being
sacked by the British, Madison became the only
President to actively exercise his role as
commander-in-chief of the armed forces. |
 James
Madison: A Chronology of His Life and Career
James Madison served his country in many public
offices in a career that spanned 40 years. As the
"Father of the Constitution," he
proposed the three branches of the federal
government. As a Representative he proposed the
resolutions that created the Departments of
State, Treasury, and War. |
 Dolley Madison
was so noted for her charm and tact that even
people who disagreed with her on issues of the
day felt at ease in her presence. Her social
graces proved invaluable to her husband's
presidential campaigns, and as First Lady she was
personally responsible for saving a number of
important state papers and artifacts when the
British set fire to the White House. |
 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
War of 1812: Chronology of Major Events
June 18, 1812: War declared by the United States.
August 24, 1814: British troops burned the White
House. December 24, 1814: Treaty of Ghent signed.
January 8, 1815: Andrew Jackson won the Battle of
New Orleans. |
 William Bainbridge
was a naval officer who served with distinction
during the undeclared naval war with France and
the Tripolitan War. During the War of 1812 he was
the second commander of the USS Constitution
("Old Ironsides"). |
 Sir Isaac Brock
was charged with defending Upper Canada against
invasions from the United States upon outbreak of
the War of 1812. In that capacity he compelled an
American surrender at Detroit. |
 Stephen Decatur
went to sea at the age of eight, and was a naval
commander by the age of 24. He served with
distinction during the Tripolitan War, the War of
1812, and the War with Algiers. |
 James Lawrence
was in command of the frigate Chesapeake
when that ship was engaged by the British frigate
Shannon. Mortally wounded during the
battle, he gave what became his famous last
command: "Don't give up the ship!" |
 Oliver Hazard Perry
served most of the War of 1812 as a naval
commander on the Great Lakes. He is best known
for defeating the British fleet at the Battle of
Lake Erie, in 1813. |
 The Star-Spangled
Banner was inspired by the
sight of the American flag being raised over Fort
McHenry on the morning of September 14, 1814,
after a 25-hour bombardment from a British fleet.
It was designated the national anthem of the
United States on March 3, 1931. |
 The Treaty of Ghent
was signed by representatives of the United
States and Great Britain on December 24, 1814.
Although it ended open hostilities between the
two nations, it settled none of the disputes
which caused the war. |
American History.--United States: General History and Description.--Revolution to the Civil War, 1775/1783-1861.--Early 19th Century, 1801/1809-1845.
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