Short answers, pulled from the story.
President James Madison signed the measure declaring war on Great Britain on the 18th of June 1812. This event marked the first time the United States issued such a declaration against another nation.
British Prime Minister Spencer Perceval had been assassinated in London just days before the Congressional vote approving the war. Lord Liverpool took power afterward and sought a more practical relationship with the Americans.
American General William Hull surrendered Fort Detroit to Major General Isaac Brock on the 16th of August 1812. His forces lacked artillery and supplies needed for a prolonged campaign which led to this defeat.
Eight hundred defenders died while American losses numbered only forty-nine killed and one hundred fifty-four wounded during the battle on the 27th of March 1814. Andrew Jackson defeated about one thousand Red Sticks at Horseshoe Bend.
The Treaty of Ghent was signed on the 24th of December 1814 but news took weeks to cross the Atlantic. Congress ratified the treaty on the 17th of February 1815 officially ending hostilities.