1812 in the United States
The following is a partial list of events from the year 1812 in the United States. After years of increasing tensions, the United States declares war on the British Empire, starting the War of 1812. Incumbents Federal government President: James Madison (DR-Virginia) Vice President: George Clinton (DR-New York) (until April 20), vacant (starting April 20) Chief Justice: John Marshall (Virginia) Speaker of the House of Representatives: Henry Clay (DR-Kentucky) Congress: 12th Events January–March January – The New England Journal of Medicine is first published in Boston by Dr John Collins Warren as the New England Journal of Medicine and Surgery and the Collateral Branches of Medical Science. January 10 – , the first steamship on the Mississippi River, arrives in its namesake city, completing its maiden voyage. February 2 – Russia establishes a fur trading colony at Fort Ross, California. February 7 – The last of four major New Madrid earthquakes strike New Madrid, Missouri, with an estimated moment magnitude of over 8. March 26 – The Boston Gazette prints a political cartoon coining the term "Gerrymander" after former Massachusetts Governor Elbridge Gerry's approval (on February 11) of legislation creating oddly shaped electoral districts designed to help incumbents win re-election.