In 2012, Canada commenced the commemoration of the 200th Anniversary of the War of 1812. This is a good opportunity for all Canadians to take pride in our traditions and our shared history. The War of 1812 was a defining moment in the history of our nation. Had the War ended differently, the Canada we know today would not exist.
On June 18, 1812, the United States declared war on Great Britain and its British North American colonies in what is known today as Central and Eastern Canada. It took the combined efforts of English and French-speaking Canadian militias, Aboriginal Canadians and British military forces to succeed in defeating the American invasion over the course of more than three years.
The War of 1812 produced a long list of Canadian heroes and heroines, including Sir Isaac Brock, Tecumseh, Charles-Michel de Salaberry and Laura Secord, who helped defend what was to become our country in a time of crisis.
Peace negotiations led to the signing of the Treaty of Ghent on December 24, 1814, which reconfirmed the borders to those held by both sides before the conflict. The end of the War laid the foundation for Confederation, and Canada's ultimate emergence as an independent nation in North America.
As part of the Government of Canada’s program to commemorate the 200th Anniversary of the War of 1812, the Department of National Defence (DND) and the Canadian Forces (CF) have developed several 1812-themed initiatives. Some of these initiatives include:
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