U.S. Navy, Marines, Coast Guard and Partners commemorate Bicentennials: The War of 1812 & The Star-Spangled Banner

First Commemoration event in New Orleans draws huge crowds of visitors

120,000+ tour ships, meet Sailors and Marines

Click here for more on the New Orleans event

Commemoration News

John Henry: The Spy Who Started The War of 1812?

By Katherine Duncan
University of Aberdeen

John Henry (1776-1853), a reputed British spy, was at the center of the 'Henry-Crillion Affair' which is credited with hastening the U.S. decision to declare war against England in 1812.

Details about Henry's life are scarce and mysterious. By best accounts, he was born in Dublin sometime between 1750 and 1776 and immigrated to Philadelphia in about 1793. He secured a job as editor of Brown's Philadelphia Gazette, a job that allowed him to cultivate the friendship of Federalist patrons by selling them wine and providing them news. He briefly served in the U.S. Army, commissioned as a captain in 1798, during the Quasi-War with France. He commanded an artillery company and served at various New England posts until 1801, when he resigned his commission.

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"The free flow of commerce is absolutely essential for our prosperity and that of other nations...as the past continues to inform the present and guides us to the future, the War of 1812 celebration will commemorate our rich history and heritage, positively influence the millions of Americans who come to see us, and showcase and demonstrate the capabilities of today's Navy."
Admiral Gary Roughead, USN (Ret.)
29th Chief of Naval Operations

200 Years Ago

Two hundred years ago, a small coastal nation, experiencing the growing pains of its recent independence, found itself at war with its former colonial master – the most powerful nation in the world.

The United States, independent for less than 30 years, went to war with Great Britain again in 1812 to preserve its economy, its way of life and its independence – and the US Navy emerged as the key to victory.

Born of necessity and forged in battle, the US Navy, in its infancy, took on the world’s mightiest fleet and proved to be a force of innovation, technology, esprit and expert seamanship. The US Navy kept the sea and America free during the War of 1812 – and continues to do so today.

During this "Second War of Independence," when Francis Scott Key was inspired to write the “Star Spangled Banner," the Navy proved that it was essential to our nation’s defense and prosperity by protecting national commerce, enforcing trade laws, and ensuring freedom of the seas. The Bicentennial Commemoration of the War of 1812 and the Star Spangled Banner honors this legacy and reminds Americans that freedom of the seas and the free flow of commerce remain as important to our nation today as they were 200 years ago.

The Commemoration Begins In April

Beginning in April 2012 and continuing through 2015, the US Navy, US Marine Corps, US. Coast Guard will commemorate the Bicentennial of the War of 1812 and The Star Spangled Banner. The Navy has partnered with the International Council of Air Shows, the Navy League, the Naval Historical Foundation, and Operation Sail (OpSail) to create world-class events around the country, with signature events in New York, Baltimore, Norfolk, New Orleans, Boston, Chicago, and Cleveland, and smaller events in other cities.

These events will include Blue Angels air shows, visits by ships of the US Navy and international navies, parades of tall ships and “Galley Wars” cook off events.

To plan your visit, click on our EVENTS links for a detailed schedule for each.