What Happened in 1812 — Events, Births & Deaths

The first steamboat on the Ohio River or the Mississippi River arrives in New Orleans, 82 days after departing from Pittsburgh.

The strongest in a series of earthquakes strikes New Madrid, Missouri.

The Cortes of Cádiz promulgates the Spanish Constitution of 1812.

An earthquake devastates Caracas, Venezuela.

A political cartoon in the Boston-Gazette coins the term "gerrymander" to describe oddly shaped electoral districts designed to help incumbents win reelection.

Czar Alexander I, the Russian Emperor and the Grand Duke of Finland, officially announces the transfer of the status of the Finnish capital from Turku to Helsinki.

The Siege of Cuautla during the Mexican War of Independence ends with both sides claiming victory.

Prime Minister Spencer Perceval is assassinated by John Bellingham in the lobby of the British House of Commons.

The United States declaration of war upon the United Kingdom is signed by President James Madison, beginning the War of 1812.

France declares war on Russia, starting Napoleon's invasion.

The American Army of the Northwest briefly occupies the Upper Canadian settlement at what is now at Windsor, Ontario.

The Treaties of Orebro end both the Anglo-Russian and Anglo-Swedish Wars.

Napoleonic Wars: Peninsular War: Battle of Salamanca: British forces led by Arthur Wellesley (later the Duke of Wellington) defeat French troops near Salamanca, Spain.

Peninsular War: French troops engage British-Portuguese forces in the Battle of Majadahonda.

Twenty-four settlers are killed in the Pigeon Roost Massacre in Indiana.

War of 1812: Sir Isaac Brock's British and native forces repel an invasion of Canada by General Rensselaer's United States forces.

War of 1812: The American frigate, USS United States, commanded by Stephen Decatur, captures the British frigate HMS Macedonian.

The second earthquake to hit southern California in 13 days causes severe damage in Santa Barbara and Ventura.

USS Constitution, under the command of Captain William Bainbridge, captures HMS Java off the coast of Brazil after a three-hour battle.