News
Star-Spangled Banner coin bill passes Congress
With unanimous consent, the U.S. Senate approved a bill on Aug. 3 that will create a commemorative coin honoring the Star-Spangled Banner, which could provide the Maryland War of 1812 Bicentennial Commission with up to $8.5 million in matching funds. Having already been approved by the House of Representatives by a vote of 419-1, the legislation now goes to President Obama for his signature.
Search for the SCORPION and Chesapeake Flotilla
Underwater archaeologists from the U.S. Navy, the Maryland State Highway Administration and the Maryland Historical Trust have surveyed the Patuxent River near Upper Marlboro in Prince George’s County for Joshua Barney’s Chesapeake Flotilla. Learn about their findings from the project’s blog.
The first issue of Key Notes, the Commission's e-newsletter, is now available. Contact us to be added to the mailing list.
Second meeting of the Maryland War of 1812 Bicentennial Commission
Gov. Martin O'Malley hosted the second meeting of the Maryland War of 1812 Bicentennial Commission, June 23, at Government House in Annapolis. The group discussed bicentennial-tourism plans, the U.S. Navy/OpSail national kickoff in Maryland, and the development of water and land routes along the Star-Spangled Banner National Historic Trail. State Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller and House Speaker Michael E. Busch attended the meeting. Read the program status report presented at the meeting.
Maryland Heritage Areas Authority Grants
Maryland nonprofit groups, museums, and local governments received 55 matching grants totaling $2.6 million from the Maryland Heritage Areas Authority for heritage tourism projects and activities that expand economic development throughout the state. Several War of 1812 projects received funding. To learn about these projects, read the full press release.
Baltimore County War of 1812 Bicentennial Advisory Committee
Baltimore County Executive Jim Smith announced the formation of a Baltimore County War of 1812 Bicentennial Advisory Committee to kick off the North Point Star-Spangled 200 Conference on June 22 . The committee will work to educate, engage, and celebrate Baltimore County's War of 1812 heritage during Maryland's statewide bicentennial celebration. Read the press release to learn more about the committee.
Joshua Barney on Facebook
Joshua Barney, a Maryland native and U.S. Navy hero during the War of 1812, has a Facebook page on behalf of the Maryland War of 1812 Bicentennial Commission. "Friend" him to learn more about him and receive updates and news from the Commission. Learn more about area War of the 1812 social media outlets.
Help protect our history! Nominate a threatened MD War of 1812 site for Preservation Maryland's 2011 Endangered Maryland List.
Many thanks to our sponsors and partners for the North Point Star-Spangled 200 Conference! The next conference will be held in Baltimore City on November 10, 2010. Previous conferences have been held in Southern Maryland, Prince George’s County, the Head of the Bay region and the Upper Eastern Shore. Learn more about these events here.
The Spring issue of the quarterly Star-Spangled Banner Trail newsletter is now available. Contact us if you want to be added to the mailing list.
OpSail 2012 Launched During Senate Reception (April 22, 2010)
OpSail and United States Navy Kick Off Commemorative Bicentennial of "The Star-Spangled Banner" and The War of 1812
Ninth Maritime Heritage Conference
The 9th Maritime Heritage Conference will be in Baltimore on September 15-19, 2010. The call for papers is open until June 1st and the War of 1812 is one of the topics listed. To learn more or submit a proposal, visit the website.
Funding Resources