June 18: The United States Congress declares war on Great Britain, Canada, and Ireland, in 1812, also known as the “War of 1812”.

Declaration of War

The cause of the war must be sought in the US desire to defend his presumed right to trade freely with any nation, even in wartime. Wars between Britain and France during the Napoleonic era resulted in a British embargo on American trade with France, which ended in open warfare.

James Madison, U.S. President, (1809–1817).

The British navy seized more than 250 American merchant ships which headed the French Indies in 1794. Americans went into a rage for losing so many ships at the hands of Britain, and because of the British custom of kidnapping American crew as well.

Lord Liverpool, British Prime Minister, (1812–1827).

Many Americans, in fact, advocated since then by declaring war on Britain, remembering the wounds have not yet closed the War of Independence.

Among the causes that led to the declaration of war are likewise trade restrictions imposed by the United Kingdom because of the war that remained in Europe against France; forced recruitment of American merchant sailors to serve in the Royal Navy; and British support to indigenous peoples of North America who opposed the expansion of the United States.