The British burned down Washington D.C.???? Exactly 200 years ago today????

[Vitamin]

Was Canada considered a country in 1812, or was it still primarily a collection of British and French colonies?

The latter. They were definitely relying on the Brits for their defense at the time.

 

[gsdx]

Was Canada considered a country in 1812, or was it still primarily a collection of British and French colonies?

We were still a colony, but known as Upper Canada (Ontario) and Lower Canada (Quebec). We ceased to be a colony and became The Dominion of Canada on July 1, 1867. Actually, it was a direct result of the American Civil War (concern over another invasion by the United States) that we became a separate country so we could be responsible for our own government and military protection. No more reliance on the British who had other things on their plate.

 

[ronboy]

We were still a colony, but known as Upper Canada (Ontario) and Lower Canada (Quebec). We ceased to be a colony and became The Dominion of Canada on July 1, 1867. Actually, it was a direct result of the American Civil War (concern over another invasion by the United States) that we became a separate country so we could be responsible for our own government and military protection. No more reliance on the British who had other things on their plate.

But it was also the beginning of one of the best neighbour relationships in all of history. The US Canadian Border is the largest international boundary in the world. Including the Great Lakes and borders with Alaska, it is 5,525 miles (8,891km.) long. It is also one of the least patrolled as far as military presence, however local law enforcement is quite present all along its length. Contrast that with the heavily military patrolled border that the US shares with Mexico.

 

[xbuzzerx]

We were still a colony, but known as Upper Canada (Ontario) and Lower Canada (Quebec). We ceased to be a colony and became The Dominion of Canada on July 1, 1867. Actually, it was a direct result of the American Civil War (concern over another invasion by the United States) that we became a separate country so we could be responsible for our own government and military protection. No more reliance on the British who had other things on their plate.

You are welcome.

 

[DonQuixote]

I've known about this anniversary for awhile - compliments of ‏@WestWingReport

200 years ago tonight: one of the worst moments in American history: the destruction of the White House and Capitol

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Despite two years of war w/Britain, the U.S. was unprepared for the British attack on Washington; President & Mrs. Madison fled

Burn marks on the White House from the fire - 200 years ago tonight - uncovered during a 1990 renovation (WH photo) pic.twitter.com/P3QcXY7xHK

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Before the British looted and burned the White House, it was looted by local citizens - "a rabble" one servant called them.

After the White House & Capitol were destroyed, there was talk of moving the nation's capital further inland; Cincinnati was mentioned.

The fires that destroyed the White House and Capitol were put out by a massive storm - possibly a tornado - that caused yet more damage.

And, yes, Dolly had a lot of the paintings and such removed before the place was torched. Else the most famous picture of Washington would have been toast.

 

[Vitamin]

I've known about this anniversary for awhile - compliments of ‏@WestWingReport

200 years ago tonight: one of the worst moments in American history: the destruction of the White House and Capitol

View attachment 1063006

Despite two years of war w/Britain, the U.S. was unprepared for the British attack on Washington; President & Mrs. Madison fled

Burn marks on the White House from the fire - 200 years ago tonight - uncovered during a 1990 renovation (WH photo) pic.twitter.com/P3QcXY7xHK

View attachment 1063007

Before the British looted and burned the White House, it was looted by local citizens - "a rabble" one servant called them.

After the White House & Capitol were destroyed, there was talk of moving the nation's capital further inland; Cincinnati was mentioned.

The fires that destroyed the White House and Capitol were put out by a massive storm - possibly a tornado - that caused yet more damage.

And, yes, Dolly had a lot of the paintings and such removed before the place was torched. Else the most famous picture of Washington would have been toast.

Not to mention the Declaration of Independence.

 

[DonQuixote]

I don't believe it was part of what Dolly Madison had removed from the White House -

The signed parchment copy of the Declaration of Independence was put in the care of the Department of State in 1789. It was moved to Virginia during the War of 1812 to prevent capture by the British, and was returned to Washington, D.C., after the war. In 1823 a copperplate copy was made. In the process, the artist faded the original text and the signatures until portions became illegible.

The document was kept in the Patent Office for many years and was later moved to the Library of Congress. Since 1952 it has been on public display in the National Archives Building. The parchment is protected from light, dampness, and insects by being sealed in a helium-filled, bronze-bound glass case. The Constitution and Bill of Rights are protected in the same way. At night the three cases are put into a bombproof vault.

 

[gsdx]

The parchment is protected from light, dampness, and insects by being sealed in a helium-filled, bronze-bound glass case. The Constitution and Bill of Rights are protected in the same way.

So, if someone does manage to break in and steal it, the police just have to look for someone who sounds like Mickey Mouse.

 

[DonQuixote]

A bit of music to "celebrate" the anniversary. - well of ONE of the battles, anyway. . .

Meanwhile, as has been discussed, things on the Canadian Front were not as "rosy" for either side -

http://www.niagaraparks.com/niagara-falls-attractions/old-fort-erie.html

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Did you know that Old Fort Erie was:

the site of ancient flint quarries;
the first fort built in Ontario by the British - in 1764 during Pontiac’s Rebellion;
a base for British troops, Loyalist Rangers and Iroquois Warriors during the American Revolution (1775 – 1783);
Canada’s bloodiest field of battle with over 3,000 troops killed and wounded during the Siege of Fort Erie August 3 to September 21, 1814;
the major crossing point into Canada of the Underground Railroad 1793 - 1865;
occupied by the Fenians (Irish Republican Army) during their largest raid, 1866;
visited by Pontiac, General Brock, General Winfield Scott, Lord and Lady Simcoe, Prince Edward (future King Edward VII), Mark Twain;
saw the opening of a new visitor centre on July 1, 2011; and
celebrates the 200th Anniversary of the Siege of Fort Erie in August, 2014.

Meanwhile, on the OTHER side of the Niagara River . . .

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fort_Niagara

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[The Fly]

And with all of this in consideration, both Canada and the U.K. have come to heel.

2/75 Rangers

 

[DonQuixote]

We all kissed and made up a long time ago.

 

[Yooper]

I recently discovered my Great Great Great Great (4 Greats) Grandfather was a highly successful Fur Trader at The Soo (Sault Ste. Marie) before the War of 1812. His home was on the South side...Michigan was not yet a State and the UP was not a part of the Michigan Territory (the UP became part of Michigan a few years after the War as part of the Toledo Compromise--Ohio got Toledo, and Michigan got the entire Upper Peninsula...a story for another day...)

(For those of you that are unfamiliar with the area, Sault Ste. Marie stands at the outlet from Lake Superior--a REALLY MAJOR crossroads for aquatic transportation to this day.)

Anyway, he sided with the British side at the time.

The Americans and the British had a skirmish in the Soo---it had been established for quite some time. It is still unclear which side actually did it--the British or the Americans--but they burned down my GGGGGrandfather's house. After the War, he filed a claim against BOTH sides, for the then-grand sum of $40,000. Neither side paid a dime.

Part of the house was rebuilt, and it exists today as a historical site. Parts were added on later, as funds became available, but I'm under the impression that at least part of the historical site is dated from 1814.

I'm going to see it for the first time this week. Should be interesting!

 

[belamyi]

Damn you are an Anglo and you didn't know that where, how or from whom did you receive your schooling?

 

[ChickenGuy]

A bit of music to "celebrate" the anniversary. - well of ONE of the battles, anyway. . .

Only the second time I've heard that song - first time was on JUB also.

I really do like it! It's such a catchy little tune!

I recently discovered my Great Great Great Great (4 Greats) Grandfather was a highly successful Fur Trader at The Soo (Sault Ste. Marie) before the War of 1812.

Some of the relatives of my great-great-great-grandmother's family, who emigrated to America, settled for a while in Sault Ste. Marie, or at least ran a business out of there. It was either shipping, or logging, or both. This was later on from yours though, in about the 1880's.

Other relatives and descendants of theirs settled in Duluth - where, in 2010, I met up with two of my fifth-cousins (both middle-aged women) and their elderly mothers.

Damn you are an Anglo and you didn't know that where, how or from whom did you receive your schooling?

The Scots.

 

[belamyi]

The Scots.

You mean to say you are not a real Anglo?

 

[unloadonme]

You mean to say you are not a real Anglo?

Of course he isn't. He's from the fringes of the Celtic fringes!

 

[ChickenGuy]

You mean to say you are not a real Anglo?

You did know, didn't you, that I'm full-blooded Highland Scots, and that I was born and bred on an island on the northwest coast up there, and lived there until the age of 34? It was only by chance that I happened to end up in Brighton.

 

[belamyi]

You did know, didn't you, that I'm full-blooded Highland Scots, and that I was born and bred on an island on the northwest coast up there, and lived there until the age of 34? It was only by chance that I happened to end up in Brighton.

No I didn't not that I care, either
You mean you had a particularly wild night and end up hitchhiking your way to the Royal Pavilion?

- - - Updated - - -

Of course he isn't. He's from the fringes of the Celtic fringes!

So you would go to Scotland and vote for the independence

 

[lambdaboy]

History of the U.S. is badly taught but every one knows this!

 

[unloadonme]

So you would go to Scotland and vote for the independence

I live in England, so don't have a vote. I doubt that CG does either now he's moved to Brighton.