War of 1812 Bicentennial a Big Deal in Canada-- Part 1

From the Feb. 25th Los Angeles Times by Richard Simon.

Many Americans know little about the War of 1812 and don't care, but it is a big deal to our Canadian neighbors who consider it a pivotal conflict in their history.  Their government is spending $28 million in public money to commemorate it.  A few American cities along the east coast and the Great Lakes also plan to do the same.

One historian joked that the "only thing most Americans know of the war was that it began in 1812."  Or perhaps it ended that year?  Perhaps, some might recall the burning of Washington, DC, or the Star-Spangled Banner.

The war ended essentially in a draw.

Canada considers it important because they repelled American invasions.  Back then, our peaceful border wasn't so peaceful.  Canada as it is today, would probably not exist had the Americans been successful.  The war forever linked the different provinces in shared danger and a common enemy (that would be us) and paved the way to confederation and the establishment of the Dominion of Canada in 1867.

And, I was always under the assumption that the people of Canada would be eager to shed British domination.

The Reason I Started This Blog and I Have Already Learned a Lot About It.  --Bock-Perry