Update on War of 1812 Bicentennial

Discussion in 'The War of 1812' started by The General, Aug 1, 2007.

  1. The General

    The General New Member

    Here's an update on the efforts to commemorate the bicentennial of the War of 1812 from Glenn Williams:

    Dear Friends and Fellow Historians,

    I thought it was time to give you an update on some legislation in Congress that has an impact on the interest of our fellow list members (pardon the cross-posting) .

    FYI:

    Concerning the War of 1812 Bicentennial Commission bill and the Star-Spangled Banner National Historic Trail bill: We have some encouraging and not so encouraging news.

    The Star-Spangled Banner National Historic Trail Act (HR 1388) and 1812 Bicentennial Commission Act (HR 1389) have both passed the House. Half way there.

    The Star-Spangled Banner Bicentennial Commemorative Coin Act (HR 2894) is in the committee on Financial Services.

    On the Senate side the SSB NHT Act (S 797) and 1812 Bicentennial Commission Act have both passed through committee reviews. However, it is the Senate side, where it had difficulties last session. Fiscally conservative Senator Tom Coburn (OK) is still making every effort to hold up these bills. Hopefully after the summer recess new attempts will be made and more positive news can be announced.

    The Revolutionary War and War of 1812 Battlefield Protection Act (HR 160), to create a grant program similar to one already established for Civil War battlefields, to assist state and local government agencies, land-trust organizations, and private non-profit historic preservation organizations, in the the acquisition of battlefield land for preservation, is currently in the sub-committee on National Parks, Forests and Public Land.

    The companion Revolutionary War and War of 1812 Battlefield Commemorative Coin Act (HR 158), which will authorize the Treasury to mint commemorative coins depicting battles from the two conflicts as numismatic items for sale to the public, the proceeds of which will help fund the acquisition grant program, is currently in the House sub-committee on Domestic and International Policy and Treasury Technology.

    The Washington-Rochambe au National Historic Trail Designation Act: The Senate version (S. 686) has been placed on the legislative calendar; the House version, HR 1286, has is in the sub-committee on National Parks, Forests and Public Land.

    The Battle of Camden Study Act (HR 1674), which will explore the feasibility of adding the Camden battlefield to the National Park Service, has been introduced on the House side.

    The Civil War Sesquicentennial Commission Act (HR 1131) is in in the sub-committee on the Federal Workforce.

    The Civil War Battlefield Protection Act of 2007 (HR 2933), which would extend the current program for awarding land acquisition grants for the preservation of Civil War battlefields, is currently in the sub-committee on National Parks, Forests and Public Lands.

    Best Regards,

    Glenn


    I wonder if anyone will even remember the bicentennial of this forgotten and unpopular war.

    Eric
     
  2. markpeters

    markpeters New Member

    Eric,

    I'm a little intrigued. You mention that this was an unpopular war, and I wondered in what sense. Can you expand a little on this please?

    Best wishes,

    Mark
     
  3. Bob Hall

    Bob Hall New Member

    Mark, it is to my understanding that this war is mostly overlooked during the school year's curriculum. I'm not going to claim that it's not mentioned at all, but from what I've heard, the only thing taught is the 'dastardly' British burnt the White House.

    As for myself, I was never in a class that touched on the War of 1812. That wasn't entirely the schools fault. The first school district I was in taught about it in the 2nd half of 10th grade. I just happened to move to another School District that taught about it in the 9th grade.
     
  4. markpeters

    markpeters New Member

    Thanks Bob. :)

    Best wishes,

    Mark
     
  5. Patriot

    Patriot New Member

    Mark, Bob, et al,

    I was also taught about Jackson & the 1814 Battle of New Orleans, something I knew a little about thanks to my father's love of Johnny Horton. But beyond that, only the burning.

    Respectively,

    Mike
     
  6. catevanne

    catevanne Member

    The War of 1812 had so many different causes; I'm fascinated and shocked that the British supplied weapons to the Indians at one point in this war.
     
  7. rlaughton

    rlaughton http://www.militarian.com/account/avatar

    Without the assistance of the "First Nations" we would not have won this war. Upper Canada and Newfoundland (our "Great Lakes Marines") were instrumental in the battles here along the shore of Lake Ontario.

    Many of our Canadian communities have added this war to our web sites, as we have here:

    Milton Soldiers of the War of 1812

    My very good friend Cliff from Texas, who now lives here in Milton, could only say:

    We Americans don't like the fact that the War of 1812 is the only war that the Americans ever lost!

    Thank God we all ended up on the same side after that event! The longest shared and undefended border in the world.
     

Share This Page