You learn something new everyday...

Wednesday, December 01, 2004

Last night I watched a special produced by our local PBS station on, my favorite topic, local geography and history. This presentation focussed on none other than my beloved Nothwest Suburbs.

I will admit I was slightly dispapointed at not learning much new about the area, and the producers didn't turn up much in the way of "quirky" trivia, either. However, I was left with one tidbit of information that made my brain ache all night long.

I learned that in 1837, the US invaded...CANADA. As an apparent nod to sympathize with French-Canadian settlers, the US provided a small force that invaded Canada to help the French-Canadians fight the then-British-controlled colony.

What boggled my mind was that this American military action was termed The Patriot's War.

Wow. Who would have thought that the French would ever drag the US into something that was none of our business? I don't mean to be flip about such a topic, but I have to admit, it is a shocking factoid to wrap my mind around.

You can read more about it here on a website that is curiously named "globalsecurity.org." Hmmm....

Bush is up North for a visit right now; I wonder if HE even knows about this little bit of US/Canadian history? Hmmm. The guy doesn't seem to remember the Geneva Convention, so I doubt he's ever heard about this little doozy from the past. ;)

Posted at 12:57 am by brandy101


	FreudianSlip December 4, 2004 11:52 PM PST The U.S. helping Canada? No wayyyyyy.. Would be funny if you could write Bush and remind him.. but chances are he wouldnt know what to do with the info even if you gave it to him.. Too funny.. Loved the Post...


	brandy101 December 2, 2004 10:30 AM PST Shaloola - no you are far from dorky - my husband is an NPR maniac, too...hmmm, well come to think of it maybe you have point!


	Miss Ginger December 2, 2004 05:03 AM PST Montreal is nothing like the rest of the province. I think Montreal should form its own nation, ha! Being an island and all, we could do it and not have to worry about pesky borders. Then again, that would mean I would have to move back onto the island, seeing as how I moved to the south shore of Mtl a couple of years ago. Damn.


	Shalloola December 2, 2004 02:35 AM PST Man...this reminds me of the South Park song: Invade Canada. Only Shrub, Jr. would pull a stunt like that. I'm convinced that he'd invade Palau (pop. 20,000) if he thought that he could force their people to sign up and carry a gun to their death. I have to admit that I enjoy watching the History Channel....and the Discovery Channel. (thank god we get it here) And we (the hub-unit) and I used to listen to NPR all the freakin' time when we resided in the States. Does all of this make us a big dork-couple?


	BlueSkelton December 1, 2004 08:52 PM PST I dont think bush knows how to tie his own shoes let alone canadian american history. Love your blog let me know if you would like a link


	brandy101 December 1, 2004 07:36 PM PST Quebec is a bit of an anomaly in North America...but then I pesonally think Montreal is one of my favorite cities I've ever visited, so maybe I'm a fan of quirkiness? :)


	Miss Ginger December 1, 2004 06:29 PM PST Look up "Patriotes 1837" on Google. The French account of it has a weird spin on the whole thing. Virtually the complete opposite of the English version. Not to mention, the ones who want Quebec to be its own country are also those who walk around (yes, in 2004) wearing jackets with "1837" and a tuque wearing "Patriote" on it. Quebec is an odd place.


	brandy101 December 1, 2004 05:34 PM PST omg, Meph! You are quite the hisotry buff! I'm impressed!


	Mephisto December 1, 2004 03:48 PM PST Loz, you might be referring to Hull's disastrous invasion of Upper Canada from Detroit, during the 1812-1814 war. Bloated with confidence after recapturing Detroit from the distracted British, the Americans led a small force into what is now southern Ontario, where they arrogantly announced to the British population that they were now American subjects. The Brits strongly outnumbered the Yanks, and enlisted the aid of American Indian forces, promising them lower Michigan as an independent homeland. The few Yanks who weren't slaughtered by this repelling force limped back in shame. It wasn't until future US Prez Gen. William H. Harrison retook Detroit that the border was set at the Detroit River.


	loz December 1, 2004 01:35 PM PST hah! Bush has already threatened 'retaliation' against us over the whole legalisation of weed, so don't be too surprised if he ends up invading us again! I don't know my history well enough (because it usually bores me to tears, so I forget most of what I learn along the way, haha) to give details, but are you also aware that Canada is the only country ever to whoop the US's arse in a fight? true. I'll see if I can 'get smart' & get the details ;). l. x


	Mephisto December 1, 2004 12:29 PM PST I am often reminded of this American aggression, together with the 1812-1814 war, because I work for a Canadian company. There were others, too, in New England, for example. It helps to remember that, until WWI, our main enemy was Britain and our main ally was France, Britain's main enemy. It also partially explains the hostility we receive in the Guess Who's "American Woman" ... ;-)

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