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.