June 18, 1812: James Madison Declares War - Start of the War of 1812 #3360222 (License: Personal Use)

This historical illustration commemorates June 18, 1812, when President James Madison formally declared war on Great Britain, initiating the War of 1812-a conflict rooted in trade restrictions, Impressment, and British support for Native American resistance. The image features a detailed engraving of Madison alongside a background scene of early 19th-century Washington, D.C., and references educational resources from FCIT at USF.

Used in educational websites, history curricula, and commemorative digital exhibits to teach about the War of 1812; targets students, teachers, and history enthusiasts seeking authoritative primary-source context.