Next year, Canada will commemorate the 200th anniversary of the War of 1812 — a three-year war that sent the invading Americans retreating home on the losing side of history.

So will Canadians, known for their quiet patriotism, celebrate that victory with respect for our now closest ally and most valuable trading partner?

Or, will it turn into a scene of chauvinistic triumphalism, a trait sometimes fairly or unfairly attributed to Canada's neighbours to the south?

"You don't want to all of a sudden say, 'We've kicked your butts,' but there's ways of presenting it," said Clark Bernat, manager of Niagara Falls Museums, who is among the planners for local upcoming bicentennial celebrations in the city.

"This is a war that has led to 200 years of peace between our two countries. There was a reason for them to do battle 200 years ago and we have to provide the reasons why it happened and what the results were."

The Canadian government has been nervous about what its message should be surrounding upcoming commemorations — wanting to honour Canada's military history while avoiding anti-American sentiment.

Bernat said many Americans are interested in military history — even the wars they've lost.

"Americans respect military history and they know military history. They know their military history much better than Canadians know our own military history.

Sunday was the annual commemorative service for the Battle of Lundy's Lane at Drummond Hill Cemetery. One of the most important battles of the War of 1812, the Battle of Lundy's Lane marked the stoppage of the American advance into Niagara in 1814 and the start of the American retreat back to Buffalo.

The commemorative service, which included veterans, soldiers in period costumes, pipe bands and dignitaries, was presented by the Lundy's Lane Historical Society.

Bernat said planners are still working on how best to commemorate the bicentennial of the Battle of Lundy's Lane in 2014.

"The anniversary of the War of 1812 spans three years. It's funny because everything seems to be front loaded on that 2012 time period. That it makes it tricky.

"But we believe that the momentum will shift."

He said it's important to note some of the important battles during the war took place in 1813 and 1814.

"For Niagara-on-the-Lake, 2013 is a big year because that's the bicentennial of the capture and the occupation of town. The Siege of Fort Erie, that was in 1814, so 2014 will be a big year for them.

"It's not just the one-year celebration. We know it's going to span three years."

Bernat said he and his colleagues have focused much of their attention so far on getting the new and improved Niagara Falls History Museum ready. It is scheduled to reopen in 2012.

"We've speculated with the Lundy's Lane Historical Society, who run this event, what we want to do to commemorate the 200th anniversary (of the Battle of Lundy's Lane), but really, we needed to get (the new museum) off our plate and then we've got two years of planning."

View the article from Niagara Falls Review