What happened in 1812
11 entries recorded for 1812, listed by date. That was 214 years ago.
1812 at a glance
- Years ago
- 214 (as of 2026)
- Century
- 19th century
- Decade
- 1810s
- Generation born
- Before the named generations
- Entries here
- 11
- Breakdown
- 11 historical events
January
- January 10
New Orleans (steamboat)
New Orleans (pictured), the first steamship on the Mississippi River, arrived at New Orleans to complete its maiden voyage.
March
- March 26
Gerrymandering
The Boston Gazette printed a cartoon coining the term "gerrymander", named after Governor Elbridge Gerry (pictured), who approved the legislation that created oddly shaped electoral districts.
April
- April 6
Peninsular War
Peninsular War: After a three-week siege, the Anglo-Portuguese Army, under the Earl of Wellington, captured Badajoz, Spain, and forced the surrender of the French garrison.
May
- May 11
Spencer Perceval
Spencer Perceval was shot in the lobby of the House of Commons, becoming the only British prime minister to be assassinated.
- May 16
Conference of Dresden (1812)
The Conference of Dresden began, an attempt by Napoleon to secure support for his planned invasion of Russia.
June
- June 22
1812 French declaration of war on Russia
France declared war on Russia, starting Napoleon's invasion two days later.
- June 24
Napoleonic Wars
Napoleonic Wars: Led by Napoleon, the French Grande Armée crossed the Neman, beginning their invasion of Russia.
August
- August 15
War of 1812
War of 1812: Potawatomi warriors ambushed a United States Army convoy after it had evacuated Fort Dearborn, in present-day Chicago, and razed the fort.
October
- October 13
War of 1812
War of 1812: British troops and Mohawk warriors repelled an American invasion from across the Niagara River at the Battle of Queenston Heights near Queenston, Ontario.
November
- November 3
French invasion of Russia
French invasion of Russia: As Napoleon's Grande Armée began its retreat, its rear guard was defeated at the Battle of Vyazma.
December
- December 29
War of 1812
War of 1812: In a three-hour single-ship action, HMS Java (drawing shown) was captured by USS Constitution off the coast of Brazil.
Questions about 1812
What happened in 1812?
This site records 11 entries for 1812, including New Orleans (steamboat) on January 10. They are listed below by date.
How long ago was 1812?
214 years ago, counting from 2026. Anyone born in 1812 turns 214 this year.
Which century is 1812 in?
1812 falls in the 19th century, in the 1810s.
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