NEW ORLEANS, LA (CBS) - Events have been taking place across
North America since last year to mark the 200th anniversary of
the War of 1812; the last conflict in which the U.S. defended
herself against British rule. It's the war that inspired "The
Star-Spangled Banner" and there's something else unique about
it: both sides still think they won! Every year on Louisiana's
Chalmette Battlefield, re-enactors commemorate the 'Battle of
New Orleans'. Many view the American victory here as the end to
the War of 1812, a sprawling, three year conflict that once and
for all freed the U.S. from the shackles of Great Britain. The
British had been interfering with American trade months before
this battle, the British burned down the White House. But the
stars and stripes would survive the perilous fight at the Battle
of Baltimore, inspiring Francis Scott Key to write the 'Star
Spangled Banner'. So the British are the ones that started this
all, right? Vincent Vaise, Chief of Interpretation for Fort
McHenry National Monume