PHOTO: PARKS CANADA

1. Share Cross-Border Friendships

In early 1813, during the War of 1812, Lieutenant-Colonel George MacDonnell, commander of Fort Wellington in Prescott, Ont., led his troops across the ice on the St. Lawrence River to attack and burn much of Ogdensburg, N.Y. Enjoy a re-enactment of the event and hospitality on both sides of the river where friendships have long since flourished. Fort Wellington sets the action by firing an 18-pounder from its ramparts.

Battle of Ogdensburg Re-enactment
February 18-19
Prescott, Ont., and Ogdensburg, N.Y.
Contact: St. Lawrence War of 1812 Bicentennial Alliance, 1-800-921-3270

2. See The Site Of Ontario’s First Parliament Buildings

A new commemorative centre is being opened in Toronto to commemorate the War of 1812. The centre, run by the Ontario Heritage Trust, is on the site of the first buildings intentionally constructed to house Upper Canada’s parliament. Opened in 1797, the original buildings were burned by invading American forces during the War of 1812. They were rebuilt and destroyed a second time by fire in 1824.

Parliament commemorative centre
Opens February 17
265 Front Street East, Toronto
Contact: Ontario Heritage Trust, 416-338-0684

PHOTO: Courtesy of Carnaval de Québec

3. Bundle Up And Enjoy Winter

The Quebec Winter Carnival is one of Canada’s premier winter events. This year is the festival’s 58th anniversary in North America’s oldest fortified city. The 17-day event features flapjack breakfasts, dogsled races, canoe races, snow and ice sculptures and outdoor dance parties. And watch for a visit from Bonhomme, the festival’s jovial host.

Carnival 2012
January 27-February 12
205 Cedres Boulevard, Quebec City, Quebec
Contact: 418-626-3716, 1-866-422-7628

PHOTO: Canadian Heritage Department

4. Salute The Maple Leaf

February 15 was declared National Flag of Canada Day in 1996, commemorating the first day that the new Maple Leaf flag flew over the Peace Tower in Ottawa in 1964. While it is not a statutory holiday, communities, schools and youth groups plan various activities to celebrate the symbol of the nation.

National Flag of Canada Day
February 15 All across Canada
For more information consult the
Department of Canadian Heritage,
www.pch.gc.ca/special/jdf-nfd/index-eng.cfm.

5. See A Piece Of 9/11’s Destruction

The Military Museums in Calgary has a temporary outdoor display of an artifact from the World Trade Center in New York, destroyed in the Sept. 11, 2001, attack on the United States. The 1,277-kilogram steel piece of exterior wall was donated to the Military Museums by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. Suggestions are being accepted on creating a
permanent exhibit.

World Trade Center Artifact
The Military Museums
Until installed in a permanent location
4520 Crowchild Trail SW, Calgary, Alberta
Contact: 403-974-2850