The Treaty of Ghent was signed on December 24, 1814, ending the War of 1812 between the United States and Great Britain. Negotiated in Ghent, Belgium, the treaty restored pre-war boundaries and called for the return of conquered territory, but did not address the issues that initially caused the war, such as trade restrictions and impressment. Despite this, the treaty marked the beginning of improved relations between the two nations. News of the treaty took weeks to reach America, and fighting continued briefly, including the Battle of New Orleans.