December 24 1814 – 11 Tevet 5575
The Treaty of Ghent was signed, ending the War of 1812 – also referred to as the Second War for American Independence. The survival of the nation that would provide a haven for millions of Jews was assured. Jews played an active role in the conflict, the most famous being Uriah
P. Levy, who rose to the rank of commodore in his naval career, despite having to contend with considerable anti-Semitism. Thirty Jews were part of the force that defended Fort McHenry —
the victory that inspired Francis Scott Key to write the National Anthem. Captain Mordecai Myers
distinguished himself on the water of Lake Ontario and Major Abraham Massaias helped to foil British
attempts to invade Georgia from the sea. Last but not least, Judah Touro fought with Andrew
Jackson’s forces at the Battle of New Orleans on January 8 1815, more than two weeks after the war had officially come to an end.
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