Ruppersberger, Cardin to Kick-Off National Sale of Commemorative Coins Honoring the War of 1812

Gold and silver coins will be sold to help fund bicentennial celebration of War of 1812

(Baltimore, MD) – Congressman C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger and Senator Ben Cardin (both D-MD) on Monday will be joined by Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley and Congressman John Sarbanes in unveiling two commemorative coins and kicking off their sale to help fund the Bicentennial Celebration of the War of 1812 and the Star-Spangled Banner, our national anthem. 

Congressman Ruppersberger and Senator Cardin sponsored legislation, signed into law by President Obama in August 2010, creating the two commemorative coins.  The coins will be sold by the U.S. Mint to fund programs to commemorate the 200th Anniversary of the War of 1812 and the Battle of Baltimore.  Celebration activities, sponsored by the Maryland War of 1812 Bicentennial Commission, will include a “Sailabration” June 13-19 when more than 200 Tall Ships and U.S. Navy vessels will visit Baltimore.

The War of 1812 ensured America’s continued independence from the British.  After two and a half years of conflict in which British troops burned Washington, D.C., American soldiers stopped the British as they attempted to capture Baltimore.  After 25 hours of bombardment, the British failed to take Fort McHenry at the mouth of the Baltimore Harbor and were forced to retreat. Francis Scott Key immortalized the battle in a poem that was later set to music and called the Star-Spangled Banner. The Star-Spangled Banner became our National Anthem on March 3, 1931.

Who:     Congressman C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger
             Senator Ben Cardin
             Congressman John Sarbanes
             Governor Martin O’Malley

When:   11 AM, Monday, March 5

Where:  Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine
             2400 East Fort Avenue
             Baltimore, MD 21230