dec 29, 1837 - The Caroline, an American steamship that was providing supplies to Canadian rebels on Navy Island (12/05/1837), is seized by the British-backed Canadian militia, set afire, and set adrift to float over the Niagara Falls. At least one American was killed during the raid. News of this event reaches Van Buren on 01/04/1838. In subsequent years, the incident will become important in international law as an instance of "anticipatory self-defense" on the part of the British
Added to timeline:
Date:
dec 29, 1837
Now
~ 188 years ago