Timeline for the War of 1812:
June 18, 1812 - President James Madison signs a declaration of war against Britain.
July 17, 1812 - British forces capture Fort Mackinac, an important American outpost in Michigan.
August 16, 1812 - The U.S. Army suffers a major defeat at the Battle of Detroit, allowing the British to gain control of Michigan and the Northwest Territory.
October 13, 1812 - American forces win a key victory at the Battle of Queenston Heights in Ontario, Canada.
August 24, 1814 - British troops capture Washington D.C. and burn the White House and other government buildings.
September 13-14, 1814 - American forces successfully defend Baltimore from a British attack, inspiring the writing of the national anthem "The Star-Spangled Banner."
December 24, 1814 - The Treaty of Ghent is signed, officially ending the war.
January 8, 1815 - American forces under General Andrew Jackson win a decisive victory at the Battle of New Orleans, which is fought after the peace treaty has been signed, due to the slow communication.
February 17, 1815 - The U.S. Senate ratifies the Treaty of Ghent, officially ending the War of 1812.
March 1815 - News of the treaty's ratification finally reaches British and American forces in North America, officially ending hostilities.