The War of 1812The War of 1812 | La guerre de 1812

Context

In 2012, Canada will begin 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.

Historical Overview

Four Canadian heroes: Major-General Sir Isaac Brock, Tecumseh - Shawnee War Chief, Laura Secord, Charles de Salaberry

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.

Commemoration Activities

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 will include:

  • Recognizing the War of 1812 heritage embraced by some CF units and the contribution made by First Nations and Métis allies to the War of 1812;
  • Supporting several Colonial Sailor Program re-enactment events during 2012-2015;
  • Promoting the tradition of the citizen soldier in Canada and commemorating the contributions made by regular and militia soldiers, provincial marine, and First Nations and Métis allies who participated in the War of 1812;
  • Supporting the deployment of a Royal Canadian Naval ships to Canadian ports in the Great Lakes throughout the 2012-2015 commemorative period;
  • Participating in a number of the United States Navy’s bicentennial commemoration efforts at select locations in the Great Lakes, East and West Coasts;
  • Contributing to the War of 1812 bicentennial celebrations by conducting aircraft flypasts at selected events; and
  • Participating in select, high-profile events (including re-enactments of the Battles of Stoney Creek and Queenston Heights), at which Regular and Reserve units raised in British North America made exemplary contributions to the overall end state of the War.