January 8.
Well, one thing I've already learned on this project -- not all days are created equal. On some days I struggle with which item to pick out of a relatively bland list of choices. On other days I have a wealth of truly significant historical events from which to choose.
January 8th is one such day. On this day in 1835, the US debt was zero for the first and last time in American history (I assume the zero debt began today and lasted for sme period of time, and once new debt was incurred we never got back to zero). In 1926 Ibn Saud became King of Hejaz and renames it Saudi Arabia. In 1959 Fidel Castro's revolution is completed in Cuba. And in 1964, President JOhnson announces the "War on Poverty" in America.
But the event of the day occured January 8, 1815. On this date, the Battle of New Orleans in the War of 1812 took place. A crushing victory for Americans over the British, it was the final major battle of the war (insignificant naval battles occurred for up to 4 months after the technical end of the war). Although this battle took place more than two weeks after the Treaty of Ghent was signed to end the war, it had quite a bit of historical significance.
First, it cemented Andrew Jackson's reputation as a national military hero and launched his political career, which would end with 2 terms in the White House (when among other things he apparently reduced the national debt to zero.
). It also helped quell dissent against President Madison, as the war overall was anything but a smashing success. Though the Treaty of Ghent gave the US none of the things it was looking for when it started the war, the victory helped paved the path of Madison's successor, James Monroe, to the White House.
The battle itself was a combination of leadership and brilliance on the part of Andrew Jackson, and true stupidity by the British. The expedition was under the command of the British ADMIRALTY, who chose an absurd route to attack New Orleans, leaving the army in a very bad position. A newly arrived senior British General, who had arrived after service with Wellington in the peninsula campaign and knew his business much better than his predecessor, was absolutely incensed at the British Admiral in charge. Nevertheless, he followed the plan as he thought it too late to change at this point, to his army's undoing and his own death.
The British, with absurd logistical problems and assaulting a well defended position, had over 2,000 casualties (~300 dead) including 3 senior generals. The Americans suffered a mere 71 casualties, with 13 dead.