Harper Government Launches 1812 Exhibition at Canada's War Museum

OTTAWA, June 12, 2012 /CNW/ - The Honourable James Moore, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages, today attended the launch of the 1812 exhibition presented by the Canadian War Museum that presents the conflict through the eyes of the war's four main participants: Canada (including Canadian First Peoples), the United States, Great Britain and Native Americans.

"The War of 1812 was a defining moment in the history of our great country," said Minister Moore. "This 1812 exhibition at our national war museum is one of the many ways that we can share this event of national and international significance with as many Canadians as possible."

The 1812 exhibition features over 130 artifacts, on loan from the Smithsonian, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Library of Congress, the British Museum and the Royal Armouries, and the War Museum's own 1812 collection. A travelling and a virtual version of the exhibit are also being made available to bring the perspectives and history of the War of 1812 to Canadians from coast to coast to coast. At the same time, the Canadian War Museum is presenting a complementary exhibit created by Library and Archives Canada, Faces of 1812, highlighting the human side of the War of 1812.

"Our Government received a strong mandate from Canadians to celebrate these important events," added Minister Moore. "We look forward to the 200^th anniversary of the War of 1812 and the many other important anniversaries Canadians will celebrate as we look forward to Canada's 150^th birthday in 2017."

Visit 1812.gc.ca to learn more about the War of 1812 and the Government of Canada's commemoration plans.

(This news release is available on the Internet at www.canadianheritage.gc.ca under Newsroom.)