On This Day

War of 1812 begins when the US declares war against Britain

1812 (MDCCCXII) was a leap year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar and a leap year starting on Monday of the Julian calendar, the 1812th year of the Common Era (CE) and Anno Domini (AD)...

1812 (MDCCCXII) was a leap year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar and a leap year starting on Monday of the Julian calendar, the 1812th year of the Common Era (CE) and Anno Domini (AD) designations, the 812th year of the 2nd millennium, the 12th year of the 19th century, and the 3rd year of the 1810s decade. As of the start of 1812, the Gregorian calendar was 12 days ahead of the Julian calendar, which remained in localized use until 1923.

Events Before

  1. US Vice President John C. Calhoun (28) weds Floride Bonneau (19)

    US Vice President John C. Calhoun (28) weds Floride Bonneau (19)

  2. First US colonists on the Pacific coast arrive at Cape Disappointment, Washington

    First US colonists on the Pacific coast arrive at Cape Disappointment, Washington

  3. Venezuelan Declaration of Independence: Seven provinces declare independence from Spain

    The Venezuelan Declaration of Independence (Spanish: Acta de la Declaración de Independencia de Venezuela) is a document drafted and adopted by Venezuela on July 5, 1811, through which Venezuelans...

  4. English Romantic poet Percy Bysshe Shelley (19) elopes to Scotland with 1st wife Harriet Westbrook (16)

    Percy Bysshe Shelley ( BISH; 4 August 1792 – 8 July 1822) was an English writer who is considered one of the major English Romantic poets.

  5. British East India Company force led by Baron Minto conquers Java, then part of the Dutch East Indies. Stamford Raffles

    British East India Company force led by Baron Minto conquers Java, then part of the Dutch East Indies. Stamford Raffles is appointed lieutenant-governor.

Events After

  1. Jane Austen's "Pride and Prejudice" is published by Thomas Egerton in the United Kingdom

    Pride and Prejudice is the second published novel (but third to be written) by English author Jane Austen, written when she was aged 20–21, and later published in 1813. A novel of manners, it follows…

  2. John Tyler (23) later 10th US President, marries 1st wife Letitia Christian Tyler (22)

    John Tyler (23) later 10th US President, marries 1st wife Letitia Christian Tyler (22)

  3. Austrian composer Johann Nepomuk Hummel (35) weds German opera singer Elisabeth Röckel (20) in Vienna, Austria, until hi

    Austrian composer Johann Nepomuk Hummel (35) weds German opera singer Elisabeth Röckel (20) in Vienna, Austria, until his death in 1837

  4. South American independence leader Simón Bolívar enters Mérida, leading the invasion of Venezuela, and is proclaimed El

    South American independence leader Simón Bolívar enters Mérida, leading the invasion of Venezuela, and is proclaimed El Libertador (The Liberator)

  5. American naval commander Oliver Hazard Perry defeats the British in the Battle of Lake Erie

    Oliver Hazard Perry (August 23, 1785 – August 23, 1819) was a United States Navy officer from South Kingstown, Rhode Island.

More from the 1810s

Frequently Asked Questions

What happened on June 18, 1812?
1812 (MDCCCXII) was a leap year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar and a leap year starting on Monday of the Julian calendar, the 1812th year of the Common Era (CE) and Anno Domini (AD) designations, the 812th year of the 2nd millennium, the 12th year of the 19th century, and the 3rd year of the 1810s decade. As of the start of 1812, the Gregorian calendar was 12 days ahead of the Julian calendar, which remained in localized use until 1923.
Why is War of 1812 begins when the US declares war against Britain historically important?
As of the start of 1812, the Gregorian calendar was 12 days ahead of the Julian calendar, which remained in localized use until 1923.

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