The National Society
United State Daughters of 1812 was organized on January 8, 1892
on the anniversary of the Battle of New Orleans. The society requires
lineal descent from an ancestor who rendered military, naval or
civil service between the close of the American Revolutionary War
in 1783 and the close of the War of 1812 in 1815, Military service
may be in any one of sixteen recognized engagements between those
dates
The purposes of
this society shall be to promote patriotism, to preserve and increase
knowledge of the history of the American people by the preservation
of documents and relics, the marking of historic spots, the recording
of family histories and traditions, the celebration of patriotic
anniversaries, teaching and emphasizing the heroic deeds of the
civil, military and naval life of those who moulded this government
between the close of the American Revolution and the close of the
War of 1812, to urge Congress to compile and publish authentic
records of men in civil, military and naval service from 1784 to
1815 inclusive, to maintain at National Headquarters a museum and
library of memorabilia of the 1784-1815 period.
WE
Are Preparing for the Bicentennial
Our U.S.D.
Mission is to publicize the War of 1812 and its importance,
A Message from Linda Shabo, the U.S.D. Public Relations Chairman
National
The U.S.D. of
the War of 1812 is Preparing to Celebrate the Bicentennial of the
War of 1812 . Our U.S.D. President Nona Quinn is in the process
of sending out an Information Brochure where it will be available
for distribution to libraries and schools. It also can be found
on line at: http://www.usdaughters1812.org/1812_PR_Brochure.pdf.
U.S.Daughters
of 1812 are being asked to help in identifying and publicizing
1812 historical landmarks, persons and events within their own
states. Suggested publicity activities include providing local
newspapers with press releases and radio stations with spot announcements
for patriotic observances and anniversaries such as that of the
Battle of Baltimore where Francis Scott Key was inspired to compose
our National Anthem, the Star Spangeled Banner.
The best publicity involves local people reporting on their own
history and those who made it. Grave markings are a wonderful source
of publicity which tie the veteran whose grave is being dedicated
and the cemetery to the people in a specific community.
Web sites which
provide photos of grave markings and information about 1812 soldiers,
battles and historical sites, some with maps and activities “for
the kids,” have proven to be great interest generators. Several
state and county historical organizations have already begun Bicentennial
Trail web sites. Examples include the Ohio Heritage Trail and “Remember
the Raisin,” a web site created by the Monroe County, Michigan
Historical Association. We also have a number of state and chapter
U.S.D. 1812 web sites that present muster rolls, history and historical
links intended to let the public know what we, the Daughters of
1812 do and why the War of 1812 was important. Chapters and state
organizations are encouraged to have web sites. Jan Johnpier, the
Chairman National of Electronic Communications, will provide chapters
with a “generic” web page free of charge.
I have reserved
a special section of our Bicentennial Web page under the heading “ Best
Bicentennial Web Sites” and also have included two other
reference web page links:
War of 1812 Bibliography and War of 1812 Biography. The latter includes
a bit of trivia:
Just in case anyone wondered, the British General Isaac Brock was
buried not once, but four times after he was killed at Queenston
Heights, Ontario on October 13, 1812.
Our Bicentennial
Web page: http://www.war1812trails.com/ contains instructional
materials and resources which can be used by teachers teaching
American History. I would like to encourage U.S.D. chapters to
sponsor poster and essay contests and to encourage participation
by offering certificates and small cash awards. Suggested topics
might include some of the following:
(1) Identify and explain “Free Trade and Sailors’ Rights”
(2) The Legacy of the War of 1812: Why was the War of 1812 important?
(3) Identification items from web site such as “Tippecanoe”
(4) Biographical figures. These can be selected from web site list
or be one of your own
choosing.
(5)Older students may want to consider writing a book review-summary
of an approved historical work on some aspect of the War of 1812.
Younger children can be encouraged to do posters and maps.
Chapters wanting
to mark historical landmarks within their own states which lack
money to support a marking project may want to avail themselves
of the new U.S.D. Historic Sites Partner Project.
I want to personally
encourage members to continue donating books about the War of 1812
and about those who fought in it and to remind them not to stop
there. We need to publicize book donations and all of other activities
in print.. I am glad to report that several states Publicity Chairman
have turned in scrap book publicity items featuring their members
donating books and commemorating important events. Those of you
who are in the process of submitting Scrapbook items need to remember
to follow instructions provided in the Public Relation NIP Letter
and our National Handbook on pages 77-78.
Five state organizations
have published Marking and Grave Location and Ancestor Indexes:
Georgia, Kentucky, Illinois, North Carolina and Tennessee. Please
consider donating a copy of any one of these to a local library
in your state if you have not done so already. The Bicentennial
Web site lists other recommended books that should prove welcome
donations to any library and also includes an answer to the question:
What is meant by Remembering the Raisin? and much more.
