A two year celebration commemorating 200 years of peace between Britain (Canada) and the United States comes to an end on December 31st.

It reminded me that it was on December 24th, 2014 that the Treaty of Ghent signed in Ghent, Belgium officially ended the war and restored peace between Britain and the United States. It was called the Treaty of Christmas Eve. Because this treaty required delivery to North America ( no internet then) The War of 1812-14 wasn’t officially recognized until Feb. 18,1815.There are several bell ringing ceremonies planned in Niagara by  churches, museums and military associations to recognize this treaty.

This is the treaty that set the boundary between Canada and the United States using the Niagara River. From Lake Erie to Niagara Falls the boundary is the middle of the Niagara River. As it reaches the Canadian Horseshoe Falls the boundary goes to the right of this waterfall setting the Canadian Horseshoe Falls entirely within Canada. Below the falls the boundary is located in the middle of the Niagara River all the way to Lake Ontario.

Let’s hope this peace continues for many centuries to come.