Bicentennial Starts June 18
A War of 1812 Primer
Quick! What do you know about the War of 1812? If you’re like many Ohioans, you may not know as much as you ought to
Bicentennial Starts June 18
A War of 1812 Primer
Quick! What do you know about the War of 1812? If you’re like many Ohioans, you may not know as much as you ought to considering Ohio's importance in the war. With the War of 1812 bicentennial getting underway in June, now's a perfect time to brush up.
A Quick Overview
Despite the name, the War of 1812 did not begin and end in 1812. It went on for nearly three years, from 1812 until 1815. Fought against Great Britain, it was our first major war as a new nation and Ohio -- especially northwest Ohio -- was a key battleground. The war paved the way for expanded settlement and the growth of Ohio into the state we know today. It was a War of 1812 battle -- the Battle of Fort McHenry -- that inspired our national anthem. Click here for more background about the War of 1812 from the Ohio Historical Society's Ohio History Central website.
Right in Your Own Backyard
Although battles took place in many other states, Ohio was central to the action and reminders of the War of 1812 are everywhere. Here are some you can visit, all within a few hours of home:
Fort Meigs in Perrysburg (a community named for Oliver Hazard Perry, who defeated the British in the Battle of Lake Erie on September 10, 1813) is a War of 1812 battlefield with a recon