Ted Poe: “Mr. Speaker, it is imperative for all Americans to know our early American history. Soon after the War of Independence…”

“Mr. Speaker, it is imperative for all Americans to know our early American history. Soon after the War of Independence and American independence, the new struggling United States had to go to war again with England to keep its independence. Sometimes the War of 1812 is referred to as the forgotten war in American history. It is referred to as the 'second American War of Independence.' Be that as it may, we went to war with England a second time because the British kidnapped American sailors on the high seas and made them involuntary servants in the British Navy. When the British invaded the United States during the War of 1812, they burned this city, Washington. They used Thomas Jefferson's books to burn this Capitol. They burned the White House. The President had to flee in the darkness of a torrential rainstorm. The United States future looked bleak. So after capturing Washington, DC, the British headed north to finish the United States off in Baltimore. During a heated sea battle, the British bombarded Fort McHenry, defending the harbor of Baltimore. But the fort commander stood defiant, refused to surrender, and hoisted a massive American flag over the fort. Mr. Speaker, this is no small flag. It is 30 feet by 42 feet in size. Such a flag could be seen for miles and miles away from Fort McHenry.”