Join us for this lecture by Tom Shanahan. The War of 1812 was fought on Oceans across the globe. Yet half the wars casualties occurred within 35 miles of the Niagara River. When Congress declared war, two riders were dispatched with the news. One reached Navy Commodore John Rodgers in New York. Rodgers personally fired the wars first shot, at a British frigate. The second was sent by New York fur trader John Jacob Astor to Canada thus protecting his trading interests, and warning the British. The Battle of Plattsburgh kept the US intact, by denying British peace negotiators any claim to holding American territory at the wars end. The Army located an arsenal across the Hudson from Troy. Some men had worked for Troy meat packer Sam Wilson who stamped his Army provisions US. Knowing who prepared the barrels, they said it was from Uncle Sam. The War of 1812 truly was "Uncle Sam's First War".
This program, which is free and open to the public, is made possible through the support of the New York Council for the Humanities Speakers in the Humanities program. This program is also co-sponsored by the Friends of the New York State Library. Registration is recommended.
Tom Shanahan, President of The Shanahan Group, has more than 25 years experience in politics, lobbying, and public relations. Since 1990, he has been a registered lobbyist. Before that, he worked at one of Manhattan's leading public relations agencies. A former Congressional press secretary and campaign staffer, he holds a BA in Political Science from SUNY Geneseo.
Location: 7th floor Librarian's Room
