Our commemoration of the Bicentennial of the War of 1812 has begun in Toronto and across Canada with many opportunities to look with fresh eyes at what took place 200 years ago. Parler Fort's latest contribution is our event titled: The Four Wars of 1812: Remembering Our Independence this July 4th.

We chose July 4th, only a few short days after Canada Day, as an occasion for re-thinking the many kinds of independence that were being fought for all around us 200 years ago. Americans felt they were fighting a 2nd war of independence from Great Britain; Canadians were fighting to retain their independence from the republicans who disloyally broke from Britain; Britain was fighting for its own life and independence from Napoleon's grand ambitions; and the First Nations from the Gulf of Mexico to the Great Lakes were attempting a grand confederation under Tecumseh to maintain their independence in the face of the relentless land grabs of American colonists.

To help us explore this pivotal time in our history, we've invited Peter MacLeod from the Canadian War Museum to visit Fort York to speak about the magnificent new exhibit that just opened in Ottawa at the CWM, 1812: One War, Four Perspectives. Joining him will be political scientist James Laxer, whose new book Tecumseh and Brock explores the critical alliance between these two visionary leaders.

A discussion following their presentations will be moderated by Wayne Reeves, Chief Curator, City of Toronto Museum Services, who led the team researching Toronto's history in the war. You can see their work at the St. Lawrence Market Gallery's current exhibit, Finding the Fallen: the Battle of York Remembered. (http://www.toronto.ca/1812/events.htm#005)

After Wayne's conversation with Peter MacLeod and James Laxer, the discussion opens up for you ask questions of these three deeply informed speakers.