Two hundred years ago today, on June 18, 1812, the U.S. unadvisedly declared war on Great Britain. The ensuing conflict, which did not end until early 1815, has been mostly forgotten in the U.S. but fondly remembered in Canada (because they "won"). The war was fought as far north as Upper Canada and as far south as Louisiana. Washington DC was occupied and the White House was burned.
The Niagara Frontier was a major battleground during the War of 1812. Buffalo was burned on New Year Eve, 1813. Many Bicentennial events are planned.
Hobbyists might want to study the Battle of Lundy's Lane on July 25, 1814 - and plan our own celebration of our binational "love" two years from now!