Laura Secord's heroic trek saved British and Canadian forces at the Battle of Beaver Dams during the War of 1812.

Like her husband and many others in Upper Canada, Laura had been born in the United States and had relatives across the line. But she was fiercely loyal to the British Crown, and was committed to the defence of the colony.

On the evening of June 21, 1813.American officers forced their way into the Secord home and ordered to be served. Food was plentiful, the officers grew boisterous and carefree, boasting of their plans to crush the remaining British.

"We'll make a surprise move against FitzGibbon at Beaver Dams," exclaimed Colonel Boerstter. Laura realized that Lieutenant FitzGibbon must be warned. Her husband, had been wounded six months earlier at the Battle of Queenston Heights and was still barely able to walk. Laura told her husband that she was going to take the message 30 km to FitzGibbon herself.