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War
April 1814 Blockade

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Since 1812, the British had been blockading American ports from Florida up to Delaware, cutting off American cities from moving goods in or out by water. In April of 1814, the British were able to extend that blockade north to New England. The Americans fought back by privateering-basically, government-approved piracy. One of the main privateering strongholds was the port of Baltimore. By the end of the summer, American privateers had captured over 800 British ships.

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Fun Fact

The Star-Spangled Banner flag originally measured 30 feet by 42 feet. Now it measures 30 feet by 34 feet.

"Pieces of the Flag have occasionally been given to those who deemed to have a right to such a memento--indeed had we given all that we have been importuned for little would be left to show." Georgiana Armistead Appleton, June, 1873.

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