Mock Redeclaration of War to Kick-off War of 1812 Bicentennial Events at Perry’s Victory and International Peace Memorial on June 18, 2012

Date: June 11, 2012
Contact: Blanca Alvarez Stransky, 419 285-2184

Perry's Victory and International Peace Memorial will host a "Mock Re-declaration of War" on Monday, June 18 at 11 a.m. to kick off the Bicentennial of the War of 1812. The Memorial is also hosting a series of free activities highlighting this important historic anniversary, said Memorial Superintendent Blanca Alvarez Stransky.

On June 18, 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" was approved by the Senate and the House of Representative of the United States of America."With the assistance of modern technology, on Monday, June 18, 2012 we will conduct a "mock redeclaration of war" between our sister park, Signal Hill National Historic Site in Newfoundland, Canada and Perry's Victory marking the 200^th Anniversary of the start of the War of 1812, said Stransky.

At 10:30 a.m., a town crier, dressed in War of 1812 garb, will announce throughout the Village of Put-in-Bay that war is imminent.At 11 a.m., townsfolk from that time period, will gather at Perry's Victory Visitor Center and listen to President's Madison address to Congress requesting approval to go to war with United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland.Once approval is granted, "the British citizenry" stationed in New Foundland, Canada will muster and prepare "to do battle" with the United States of America via Skype."At noon, bells will be rung

throughout the United States and the Union Jack will be lowered," added Stransky.Even though Perry's Victory commemorates the last peace between Canada and the United States, on June 18 the park will not fly the Canadian flag in remembrance of the start of the War of 1812.

The mock redeclaration of war is a collaborative effort between Perry's Victory, a National Park Service site, and Signal Hill National Historic Site, a Parks Canada site dedicated to preserving the War of 1812 story. "About seven months ago, our mutual staffs agreed to creatively illustrate the path to war between our two nations.In 2015, to mark the end of the War of 1812, we will gather at Perry's Victory and celebrate the lasting peace between Canada and the United States," said Stransky.

On Saturday and Sunday throughout the day, visitors can talk with Chief Tecumseh and First Lady Dolley Madison.Learn about the causes of the War of 1812, enlist in Perry's militia, examine the weapons of war, and watch carronade and musket demonstrations.For a complete listing of events and times, please visit www.nps.gov/pevi or call [phone].