Here, I found a nice web page about the War of 1812, with the Canadian interpretation of what happened, although for some reason it focusses on which historical figures got their faces on stamps. (Strange stuff you find on the web, really.)
http://www.rpsc.org/Library/1812/warof1812.htmAnyway, for Canada the war was seen as affirmation that we did not wish to be absorbed into the US. Also, it was one of those events which solidified our concept of "nationhood" in that it was the first time that the English, French, and Indians got together and fought side-by-side against a common foe.
From other things I've read I gather that the focus in the US is on the burning of the White House and the problem with Britain taking USn men into the navy by force. The attempt to "liberate" Canada from British control was retaliation for that. Funny how differently these things can be interpreted.
