Ring the Bells for 1812

The Philadelphia Winn Chapter NSDAR will host "Ring the Bells for 1812" on Monday, June 18, 2012, from 11:30 am to 12:30 pm, at the gazebo in the old historic courthouse square of Lawrenceville. The event is part of a nationwide ringing of bells to commemorate the bicentennial of the War of 1812. The public is encouraged to bring a bell and ring it at noon.

Lawrenceville Mayor Judy Jordan Johnson will attend the ceremony and sign a proclamation in recognition of the historic day. The media and public are encouraged to attend and honor those Americans who served their country during this war.

Among the reasons for the War of 1812, the British were overpowering American ships at sea, kidnapping our sailors, and forcing them to serve in the British navy. In 1814, the British burned Washington DC to the ground. This battle inspired Francis Scott Key to write "The Star Spangled Banner."

Of particular interest to Gwinnettians, Captain James Lawrence, the namesake of Lawrenceville, fought as a naval commander in the war. During one especially fierce battle, the mortally wounded Captain Lawrence, gave one of the most famous naval cries in history --- "Don't give up the ship!"