At the Military Museum, it's no secret that this year, we will be changing the entire museum into a totally new exhibition all about the War of 1812. In case you haven't heard, it is the Bi-Centennial of the War of 1812 (most of which was actually in 1813/1814). But if you live in Canada, of COURSE you knew that. Commemorations of the War of 1812 have been happening all over Ontario lately.
One day, I was talking to a family visiting the museum, and I was explaining the changes coming in the near future - as soon as I said "War of 1812," they all burst out laughing! I was super confused and it probably showed on my face, so the Mom explained what was so funny:
On YTV (aka - THE Canadian kid's TV channel, which I watched exclusively as a kid), there is a sitcom-y type of show called "Mr. Young". It is about this very smart kid who breezed through school, finished university and teacher's college at an early age, and begins teaching at a high school when he is the same age as the students. Him and his zany exploits. Anyways, I guess there is a running joke in this Canadian-made show about this one, very old, very crotchety history teacher, Ms. Byrne, who only teaches one thing: the War of 1812. There is nothing before, there is nothing after - 1812 is everything.
It's actually a pretty funny concept, considering how much attention the War of 1812 has been getting lately!
