June 2012 will mark the 200th Anniversary of the War of 1812, an important milestone in Canada’s history and national identity.
The Government of Canada recognizes the War of 1812 as a defining moment in the history of our nation and has big plans to commemorate this event of national and international significance. The 200th anniversary of the War of 1812 is an unprecedented opportunity for all Canadians to take pride in our traditions, and our shared history.
In order to properly remember this defining time in our nation’s history, the Government has launched the 1812 Commemoration Fund. The fund supports a wide-range of project types, including (but not limited to) commemorative events and ceremonies, learning materials, exhibits, historical re-enactments, interpretive programming and tours, festivals, plaques and monuments, documentary films, educational websites, interactive new media content, theatrical and musical performances, artwork and research projects.
The Department of Canadian Heritage can also consider a wide-range of Canadian funding applicants, including (but not limited to) non-profit organizations, educational institutions, Aboriginal organizations, municipal, provincial and territorial governments and private sector companies (for projects with non-profit goals).
If you are interested in applying for funding, you can apply here.
A Brief History of the War of 1812:
On June 18, 1812, the United States declared war on Great Britain and its British North American colonies in what is today Central and Eastern Canada. British regular troops assisted by English- and French-speaking Canadian militiamen and First Nations allies repelled American invasions over the course of more than two years.
On December 24, 1814, peace negotiations led to the signing of the Treaty of Ghent, which reset the boundaries to those held by both sides before the conflict. These boundaries would be confirmed by a joint British-U.S. commission in the years following the War.
Canada would not exist today had the American invasion of 1812-14 been successful. For that reason, the War of 1812 was a defining chapter in our history.
The end of the War laid the foundation for Confederation, and Canada’s ultimate emergence as an independent nation in North America. It also ushered in what has become two centuries of peaceful relations, mutual respect, close cooperation and the strongest of friendship between Canada and the United States.