War of 1812 "Big in Canada?" ...

Photo taken by Gary McWilliams

Reenactment 2011 Wasaga Under Seige

War of 1812 article submitted by

Judi McWilliams

Ontario Visited/War of 1812 Bicentennial

As the War of 1812 Bicentennial year has started, I wanted to share some of the “stories” and bring some “important issues” for you to consider. The following except is from an article posted in the SalemNews.com, submitted October 1, 2011 by David M. Shribman, a North Shore native and Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist, is executive editor of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

“David Shribman: War of 1812: Still big in Canada, not so much here”

“FORT ERIE, Ontario — The deficit remains a threat to the United States, economic crises persist in Europe, two wars rage halfway around the world, and the Republicans are beginning to focus on their nomination fight. So you have ample reason not to feel guilty about not having focused on this urgent question that the United States, Canada and Great Britain face next year: What is the best way to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the War of 1812?

This may not be the best time to plan a war commemorative. The U.S. is marking the 150th anniversary of the Civil War, which will consume five years and already has attracted considerable attention. Seven years ago the attempt to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the French and Indian War was a dud. There's not a huge appetite for yet another set of commemorative books, historical novels, re-enactments and school dioramas.

But this landmark will not go away, and embedded in this anniversary are several sticky questions, such as: How does Canada celebrate its victories over American invaders without alienating its biggest trading partner? How does the U.S. approach a war in which its principal adversary, Great Britain, is now one of its closest friends? And do the British pause to mark this event at all, given that for them it was but a brief, minor sideshow in the far more important Napoleonic Wars?”

(To Be Continued)