War of 1812 Bicentennial

There will be a 12-port public/private partnership for the bicentennial commemoration of the War of 1812 and the writing of The Star-Spangled Banner.

Continuing through 2015, the US Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard – the US maritime services along with Operation Sail will commemorate the 200th anniversary of the War of 1812.

Week-long events, parades of warships and sailing vessels, public visitation, air shows, international athletic competitions, and community relations activities will mark the occasions in New Orleans, New York City, Norfolk, Baltimore/Annapolis, Boston, New London, Milwaukee, Chicago, Toledo, Cleveland, Detroit, and Buffalo. The Navy’s four annual events on the West Coast Seattle, Portland, San Francisco, and San Diego will include special shipboard exhibits. The Chief of Naval Operations has invited 120 countries to send combat ships as well as their national academy sail training tall ships to America.

OpSail, the Congressionally chartered non-profit producer of tall ship events, has partnered with the Navy for previous American milestones such as the 1976 bicentennial of American independence, the 1986 State of Liberty centennial, and Millennium in 2000. Visit www.opsail.org.