OpSail

Operation Sail - War of 1812 Bicentennial Events in New Orleans on April 17-23, 2012
Beginning on April 17, New Orleans locals and visitors alike will be given the opportunity to witness the beginning of a three-year celebration in commemoration of the 200^th anniversary of the War of 1812.  The NOLA Navy Week Host Committee and Operation Sail, Inc. have secured three beautiful vintage tall ships, the USCG Baroque Eagle, the Guayas of Ecuador and the Gloria of Columbia, to be docked in New Orleans at Woldenberg Park from April 17-23, 2012. 

The week-long program in New Orleans will include parade of sail, public visitations to the ships, international athletic competitions, community relations activities and an air show by the very impressive U.S. / Naval Air Division's Blue Angels aircrafts.  These events will provide a memorable experience for all who participate! 

New Orleans will lead the parade of American cities commemorating the War of 1812. Celebrations will soon begin on the Atlantic Coast in New York, Norfolk, Baltimore, Boston and New London, Connecticut. Commemoration events in the Great Lakes region will take place in Milwaukee, Chicago, Toledo, Cleveland, Detroit and Buffalo. In 2015, the three-year celebration will rap up in New Orleans where the last battle of the war was fought.

For more information on Navy 1812 Bicentennial activities and events, visit their website: www.OurFlagWasStillThere.org; Facebook: www.facebook.com/Navy1812; Twitter: www.Twitter.com/Navy1812. For more information on Operation Sail, Inc. visit www.opsail.org

A Little Trivia on the War of 1812 and New Orleans
The War of 1812 began in the northern region of the United States and ended with the Battle of New Orleans on January 8, 1815.  Bet you didn't know that the ending battle was fought on the grounds of a plantation in Chalmette, just outside of our city!  A resounding victory for the Americans, the Battle of New Orleans helped victorious General Andrew Jackson win election as president in 1828. It also marked the last time an invading foreign army ever came to America.

The War of 1812 was significant for strengthening the American Navy. American battle frigates won key victories at sea and along the Great Lakes boundary between the U.S. and British-ruled Canada. The unsuccessful British bombardment of Fort McHenry in Baltimore in September 1813 gave Francis Scott Key the inspiration to write "The Star-Spangled Banner," which became our National Anthem.