Gwinnett Daily Post

LAWRENCEVILLE -- With the ringing of bells, local residents can mark the 200th anniversary of the war that gave Gwinnett's county seat its name.

The Philadelphia Winn Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution will host an event, "Ring the Bells for 1812," at 11:30 a.m. Monday to commemorate the bicentennial of the War of 1812.

The war, a rematch between a young United States of America and Britain, is remembered for the burning of the White House and the battle that inspired the "Star Spangled Banner."

But one lesser-known story is that of Captain James Lawrence, the namesake of Lawrenceville. Lawrence gave one of the most famous naval cries in history -- "Don't give up the ship!" -- when he was mortally wounded in battle, a press release from the DAR chapter pointed out.

During Monday's event, at the gazebo in Lawrenceville's Courthouse Square, Lawrenceville Mayor Judy Jordan Johnson will sign a proclation in recognition of the historic day, and the public is encouraged to bring a bell to ring as part of the ceremony.