It must have been a dreadful sight for residents of what is now Toronto — an American fleet of 14 warships landing up to 1,800 invaders on April 27, 1813. A force less than half that size bravely attempted to hold them back. At one point British regulars launched a desperate bayonet charge. But overwhelming numbers forced the defenders to withdraw.

Before abandoning Fort York, an order was given to detonate the installation’s massive gunpowder magazine. An earth-shaking explosion erupted as American troops were on the verge of entering. It killed dozens, including the U.S. general leading the attack, and wounded more than 200 invaders.

Toronto, then called York, was looted and Upper Canada’s legislative buildings were burned. The Americans left on May 8, but anger over what they had done later inspired the burning of Washington, including the White House, by British troops.

Who says Canadian history is boring? It’s a pity so little of it is widely known. In an effort to correct that and inspire national pride in Canada’s past, the federal government is planning to spend about $28 million marking the bicentennial of the War of 1812.

Most people on both sides of the border know little about the war, but it was a pivotal conflict for this country. Canada as we know it would not exist had the United States successfully invaded. Its outcome helped define the country. And that makes this anniversary a useful teaching opportunity — one, quite literally, 200 years in the making.

As part of a multi-year commemoration, Ottawa has announced several valuable steps, including up to 100 historical re-enactments; upgrades to battle sites, such as Fort York; interactive tours, and a nationwide education campaign underlining the importance of the conflict. The federal government, however, should retreat from its ill-judged plan to locate a permanent 1812 memorial in the National Capital Region.

By all means build a monument — but not in the Ottawa area, which played no role in the war and was home to only a few farmers and loggers two centuries ago. Besides, Ottawa has monuments enough. It would be far more appropriate to locate a memorial to 1812 where the war was actually fought.

Niagara-on-the-Lake might be a candidate. It was literally at the front line in the struggle and suffered accordingly. If that’s deemed too near to Brock’s Monument, erected in honour of the British general Sir Isaac Brock in neighbouring Queenston, why not locate an inspiring new War of 1812 memorial in York itself — a.k.a. Toronto?

Fort York, rebuilt after the Americans withdrew, holds Canada’s largest collection of original buildings from this conflict. A memorial here would be an ideal way to honour the almost 200 British, Canadian and Indian dead and wounded who shed their blood defending York on that April day almost 200 years ago.

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