BNHA Baltimore & The War of 1812

Content about Baltimore & The War of 1812

For a brief few days in September 1814, the fate of the young United States hung in the balance. With the U.S. capital still smoldering from attack, British forces focused on Baltimore to complete their campaign to end the War of 1812. In three weeks, Baltimore readied for the attack – building defensive lines and readying the chain of forts protecting the city.

The British launched two attacks. Ground forces landed at nearby North Point to assault the city from the east while the navy moved to engage Fort McHenry protecting the heart of the city. After two days of fighting, it was clear the defenders of Baltimore proved victorious. As the British forces retreated, the Star-Spangled Banner rose above Fort McHenry and inspired Francis Scott Key to put to words the emotions and passions of a triumphant young nation.

While much has changed in the 200 years since the perilous battle, the Baltimore region proudly boasts of a wealth of historic sites and neighborhoods that tell the story of the War of 1812 and the national icons now woven into our shared history.


War of 1812: Timeline of Key Events 

PRELUDE TO WAR

June 22, 1807 | The Chesapeake-Leopard Affair

October 4, 1808 | Baltimore Gin Riots

November 7, 1811 | Battle of Tippacanoe

June-July 1812 | Baltimore Riots

June 18, 1812 | War Declared on Britain

THE WAR BEGINS: 1813

Feb-Dec. 1813 |Chesapeake Campaign of 1813

April 6, 1813 | Battle of York

Summer 1813 | The Flag Is Sewn

September. 10, 1813 | Battle of Lake Erie

THE HEAT OF BATTLE: 1814

April 11, 1814 | Napoleon Abdicates Throne

June 1814 | Chesapeake Campaign of 1814

August 8, 1814 | Peace Negotiations Begin in Ghent

August 19, 1814 | British Forces Land at Benedict

August 24, 1814 | Battle of Bladensburg

August 24-25, 1814 | Burning of Washington, DC

Late August 1814 | Baltimore Defenses Strengthened

September 7, 1814 | Key Boards Truce Vessel

September 11, 1814 | Battle of Lake Champlain

September 12, 1814 | British Land at North Point; the Battle of North Point

September 13, 1814 | Bombardment of Fort McHenry

September 14, 1814 | The Bombardment Ends

September 16, 1814 | Key Released; Spends Evening at Indian Queen Tavern

September 17, 1814 | Handbills of “Defence of Fort M’Henry” Distributed

September 20, 1814 | “Defence of Fort M’Henry” Published

October 19, 1814 | First Public Performance of the Song

December 24, 1814 | Treaty of Ghent Negotiated Between U.S. and Great Britain

WAR'S END AND ITS LEGACY: 1815 AND BEYOND

January 8, 1815 | Battle of New Orleans

February 17, 1815 | Madison Signs Treaty of Ghent

March 3, 1931 | “The Star-Spangled Banner” Becomes the National Anthem

June 2012-September 2014 | Bicentennial Commemorations