ON T HI S DAY

April 27, 1813 – American forces led by Brigadier-General Zebulon Pike launched a seaborne invasion of York (Toronto), the capital of Upper Canada. The Americans captured, sacked and burned the city. To avoid looting, the local militia burned the partially built sloop HMS Sir Isaac Brock and naval stores. They also set alight the grand magazine. The explosion resulted in more than 240 American forces casualties, including Pike.