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R-11-39 A RESOLUTION TO COMMEMORATE AND SUPPORT THE BICENTENNIAL OF THE AMERICAN WAR OF 1812 IN VIRGINIA. WHEREAS, the American War of 1812 was fought between the United States and Britain from June 18, 1812 though February 18, 1815 in Virginia and Maryland, along the Canadian border, along the western frontier, along the Gulf Coast, and through naval engagements in the Great Lakes and the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans; and WHEREAS, the strategic location of the Chesapeake Bay near the nation's capitol made it a prime target for the British, and the coast of Virginia figured prominently in the Atlantic theatre of operations; and WHEREAS, there were some seventy-three armed encounters with the British that took place in Virginia during the war, and Virginians actively fought in Maryland, Virginia, and Ohio and in naval engagements; and WHEREAS, an estimated 70,000 Virginians served during the American War of 1812; and WHEREAS, the American War of 1812 helped forge a national identity among the American states and laid the groundwork for a national system of homeland defense and a professional military within the United States; and WHEREAS, the bicentennial of the American War of 1812 provides an opportunity for all Americans to commemorate the independence for which our forefathers so bravely fought; and WHEREAS, the 2009 Virginia General Assembly established .the Virginia Bicentennial of the American War of 1812 Commission to lead the Commonwealth's commemoration of the bicentennial of America's Forgotten War, the Second War ofIndependence and localities throughout the State have been requested to commemorate the bicentennial locally with appropriate activities and to participate in the several signature events and other numerous programs and activities have been planned for the Commonwealth; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Council of the City of Portsmouth, Virginia (the "Council") that I. The Council commemorates the bicentennial of the American War of 1812 in Virginia, and will endeavor to support the commemoration through locally developed activities and participation in statewide bicentennial events and programs. 2. The Council hereby notifies the Virginia Bicentennial of the American War of 1812 Commission of its intention to execute local activities and to participate in statewide events and programs to commemorate the bicentennial of the American War of 1812 in Virginia, subject to the availability of resources.