Internationally-renowned curmudgeon, the East Hill's own Dennis Thompsett, sporting camouflage gear in his coastal redoubt in Florida. Or California. Due to the volatile nature of his suggestion, the Hub is being deliberately vague as to Mr. Thompsett's exact location.

– by Dennis Thompsett

To chase away all this summer's heat and tension, I had an idea. (And when do I not?)

Are you offended by this fun holiday: I imagine we have a big fire somewhere, melt marshmallows, and sing Canadian patriotic songs like Stirs His Coffee With His Thumb (The Frozen Logger - Ed).

I call it Burnt White House Day.

And like the Women's Temperance Society, we start off small but soon go nation-wide.

It's only fair.

After all, America brazenly celebrates July 4th when they swiped an entire country from the British.

So we should get a shot in.

It celebrates that glorius Wednesday – August 24, 1814 – when British forces, vastly outnumbered (4,500 against 7,000), frightened the Amerian forces away and took over Washington D.C. during the War of 1812.

The British troops, including a lot of Canadians because we were all British then, burned all the federal buildings in return for the rude American burning of Muddy York the year before.

The President had already fled when British officers occupied the White House, so they ate the meal that had been prepared for him, then burned the place.

What a magnificent night for us, and claimed by scholars as the most important day of the War of 1812.

Not everybody thinks that though.

In 2014, on August 24th, to celebrate the 200th anniversary of that glorious Wednesday, the British Embassy in Washington D.C. cheekily hosted The White House BBQ.

Americans went ballistic and the uproar was so hysterical that the Brits apologized.

Yet that same year, and every year, the American embassies in London and Ottawa happily celebrate July 4th to commemorate their theft from us of a tiny bit of land.

Of course we got to keep the good bit up here, but nevertheless.

But I think that in Owen Sound and wherever Canadians are, we should celebrate Burnt White House Day by lighting a candle.

Do you see the soft, warm glow from the flames of that candle?

That's Canadian pride.

May it never go out, eh.

 
.............

source: various verified emails from somewhat secure location(s)