The War of 1812 began on June 18, 1812, when U.S. President James Madison signed a declaration of war against Great Britain. This conflict was primarily fueled by the United States’ grievances over British maritime practices during the Napoleonic Wars, which included the impressment of American sailors into the British navy and restrictions on U.S. trade. The war lasted until 1815, ending with the Treaty of Ghent, which restored relations between the two nations to their pre-war status without addressing many of the issues that had caused the conflict. The war is notable for several significant battles and events, including the burning of Washington, D.C., the defense of Fort McHenry (which inspired the U.S. national anthem), and the Battle of New Orleans.