The Treaty of Ghent, signed on December 24, 1814, marked the official end of the War of 1812 between the United States and Great Britain. The treaty effectively restored territorial boundaries to their pre-war status and did not address the underlying issues that had led to the conflict, such as impressment of American sailors and trade restrictions. However, its significance lies in the fact that it paved the way for improved relations between the U.S. and Britain in the years that followed and fostered a sense of national unity and identity in the United States, often viewed as a second war of independence.