June 18, 1812

The incident between the HMS "Leopard" and the USS "Chesapeake" that sparked the Chesapeake-Leopard Affair. Drawn by Fred S. Cozzens and published in 1897

This Day in Naval History - June 18

Story Number: NNS020418-26Release Date: 4/18/2002 9:35:00 PM
From the Navy News Service
1812 - U.S. declares war on Great Britain for impressment of Sailors and interference with commerce.

Declaration of War 1812

An Act Declaring War Between the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland and the Dependencies Thereof and the United States of America and Their Territories.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That war be and the same is hereby declared to exist between the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland and the dependencies thereof, and the United States of America and their territories; and that the President of the United States is hereby authorized to use the whole land and naval force of the United States to carry the same into effect, and to issue to private armed vessels of the United States commissions or letters of marque and general reprisal, in such form as he shall think proper, and under the seal of the United States, against the vessels, goods, and effects of the government of the said United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, and the subjects thereof.
APPROVED, June 18, 1812