Library HQ to host program on the War of 1812

MANALAPAN, NJ - It’s called the forgotten war. Barely a generation after the American Revolution, the War of 1812 pitted the young United States against powerful Great Britain.

Learn more about the events that led to the burning of Washington DC, the creation of the American Navy and the birth of our national anthem at a special Monmouth County Library War of 1812 program on Sunday, June 9, from 1 to 4 p.m. The program will be held at Library Headquarters, 125 Symmes Drive, Manalapan.

The War of 1812 is part of the Monmouth County Library Commission’s continuing major program initiative.

“The Library Commission continues in its commitment to Library programming that educates, informs and entertains,” said Renee B. Swartz, Library Commission Chair. “Major program themes at the Library in the past have encompassed space exploration and astronomy, the science of invention, the 150th anniversary of the start of the Civil War, and food as science, culture and community. These programs have proved to be enormously popular with our patrons.”

For the June 9 program, events of the day will include keynote speaker Captain David Harrison of the Earle Naval Weapons Station, who will speak about how the War of 1812 led to the creation of the U.S. Navy.

Musical guests will include the 28-piece Imperial Brass Ensemble, who will perform a selection of patriotic American music. The ensemble will be joined by soprano Amanda Grafton, a student at the Manhattan School of Music, who will sing The Star Spangled Banner.

Author William H. White, who wrote Our Flag Was Still There:  The Sea History Press Guide to the War of 1812, will also speak. Historical re-enactors, including First Lady Dolley Madison and Star Spangled Banner author Francis Scott Key, will be on hand for photos and a meet and greet with the audience.

The programs are free and open to all.

“The success of the Library’s major program initiatives shows that an event that is informative and educational can also be entertaining for the entire family,” said Freeholder Lillian G. Burry, liaison to the Monmouth County Library. “The Library programs have embraced astronauts and inventors, master chefs and super heroes. Where else can you have this much fun for free?”

For more information, please call the Library at 732-431-7220 or visit the County library's website at www.monmouthcountylib.org

A few War of 1812 facts:

• The war began in 1812, but didn’t end until 1815.
• The British Navy was the largest in the world at the time with 600 ships; the Americans had a total of 18.
• The American defeat at the Battle of Bladensburg in Maryland in August 1814 led to the British burning of Washington D.C.
• Baltimore flagmaker and seamstress Mary Pickersgill sewed the oversized flag that flew over Fort McHenry during the September 1814 bombardment, and inspired Francis Scott Key to write The Star Spangled Banner.
• The Star Spangled Banner was originally entitled “Defence of Fort McHenry.” It did not become the official national anthem until more than 100 years later, in 1931.
• The American victory at the Battle of New Orleans in January 1815, commanded by future President Andrew Jackson, actually took place after the treaty to end the war was signed.

For media questions, please contact:
Kenneth Sheinbaum
Director, Monmouth County Library
ksheinbaum@monmouthcountylib.org