Canadian history · Drawing 10 of 43
Laura Secord’s courage
June 1813
In June 1813, during the War of 1812, Laura Secord walked a long way through the woods to warn British soldiers of an attack. It took great courage. Today, Canada and the United States are peaceful neighbours.
Look together
What can you see in the distance between the trees, near the path?
An idea to try
Invite the child to follow the path with a finger. Together, draw an imagined route and choose landmarks that could help someone find their way.
For the adult reading along
A little more to discover
On June 22, 1813, Laura Secord left Queenston to warn Lieutenant James FitzGibbon about a planned American attack on his outpost at Beaver Dams. She walked about 32 kilometres. Her action belongs to a broader story: First Nations fighters played a decisive role at Beaver Dams.
The war involved the United States, Great Britain and its allies, before Canadian Confederation. The peace treaty was signed in December 1814 and took effect in 1815. The sentence about neighbours today does not imply that peace began with Laura’s walk.
Sources and illustration notes (2)
An imagined interpretation of Laura Secord, without copying a historical portrait. A woman in early-1800s clothing walks through woods at sunrise. The route and landscape are not an exact reconstruction; no weapons or commercial branding.
These links lead to other websites. Explore them with an adult. References identify the institution and the related lesson; some linked pages are in French.
- National Defence - Laura SecordJune 22, 1813 journey, distance, warning and First Nations’ role at Beaver Dams.
- U.S. Senate - Ratification of the Treaty of GhentDecember 1814 treaty and the war’s official end in February 1815.
Page prepared on November 7, 2026. Illustrations simplify places and scenes; they are not historical documents.
This drawing is from the book Canada’s Great Moments to Colour
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