Treaty of Ghent Signed: War of 1812 Ends in Peace
They signed peace two weeks before the war's bloodiest battle. The Treaty of Ghent ended the War of 1812 on Christmas Eve, but news traveled at sailing speed — so 2,000 men died at New Orleans in January fighting for a war already over. Britain and America returned to status quo ante bellum: every border back where it started, every captured territory returned, nothing gained. Three years of fighting. 15,000 dead. Zero land changed hands. But it worked — the two nations never fought again. Sometimes the most important victory is just deciding to stop.
December 24, 1814
212 years ago
Key Figures & Places
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