1812 in the United States
The following is a partial list of events from the year 1812 in the United States. After years of increasing tensions, the United States declares war on the British Empire, starting the War of 1812. Incumbents Federal government President: James Madison (DR-Virginia) Vice President: George Clinton (DR-New York) (until April 20), vacant (starting April 20) Chief Justice: John Marshall (Virginia) Speaker of the House of Representatives: Henry Clay (DR-Kentucky) Congress: 12th Events January–March January – The New England Journal of Medicine is first published in Boston by Dr John Collins Warren as the New England Journal of Medicine and Surgery and the Collateral Branches of Medical Science. January 10 – , the first steamship on the Mississippi River, arrives in its namesake city, completing its maiden voyage. February 2 – Russia establishes a fur trading colony at Fort Ross, California. February 7 – The last of four major New Madrid earthquakes strike New Madrid, Missouri, with an estimated moment magnitude of over 8. March 26 – The Boston Gazette prints a political cartoon coining the term "Gerrymander" after former Massachusetts Governor Elbridge Gerry's approval (on February 11) of legislation creating oddly shaped electoral districts designed to help incumbents win re-election. April–June April 4 – U.S. President James Madison enacts a 90-day embargo on trade with the United Kingdom. April 20 – George Clinton, Vice President of the United States, dies in office. April 30 – Louisiana is admitted as the 18th U.S. state (see History of Louisiana). May 8 - Hail to the Chief is published as the presidential anthem of the United States. June 1 – War of 1812: U.S. President James Madison asks the U.S. Congress to declare war on Great Britain. June 4 – Following Louisiana's admittance as a U.S. state, the territory created by that name is renamed the Missouri Territory. June 18 – The War of 1812 begins between the United States and the British Empire. July–September July 12 – Americans invade Canada at Windsor, Upper Canada. August 5 – War of 1812: Tecumseh's Indian force ambushes Thomas Van Horne's 200 Americans at Brownstone Creek, causing them to flee and retreat. August 7 – 130 Filibusters of the Gutiérrez–Magee Expedition cross from Louisiana into Spanish Texas, soon after they capture the town of Nacogdoches. August 15 – War of 1812: Battle of Fort Dearborn – Potawatomi warriors overrun the U.S. fort in Illinois Territory. August 16 – War of 1812: American General William Hull surrenders Fort Detroit without a fight to the British Army. August 19 – War of 1812, USS Constitution vs HMS Guerriere: defeats the British frigate off the coast of Nova Scotia. The British shot is said to have bounced off Constitutions sides, earning her the nickname "Old Ironsides". September 13; Gutiérrez–Magee Expedition: The Expedition, having since grown to 300 men, captures the town of Santísima Trinidad de Salcedo. October–December October – The capital of Pennsylvania is permanently moved from Lancaster to Harrisburg. October 9 – War of 1812: American naval forces