Boston Things to Do

The War of 1812 (sometimes called the ‘Second War of Independence’) is often remembered for two things: the burning of the White House and the writing of ‘The Star-Spangled Banner,’ both in 1814. The exact motivations behind the war with Britain are a bit more complicated, as they involved trading policies, numerous Native American tribes, and Canadian territories. President James Madison officially declared war on June 18th.

George Washington himself gave this wooden frigate – which first launched in 1797 and is now the oldest remaining commissioned naval vessel in the world – its legendary name: the USS Constitution. It was built in Boston and is famous for defeating and capturing British warships during the war of 1812.