The Bearded Invaders From The North

42 years ago today, the United States withstood an invasion by young bearded Canadians some 450 to 600 strong.  The breaded invaders came to the Peace Arch in Blaine, WA to protest Nixon's announcement that U.S. troops would pursue North Vietnamese troops into Cambodia.  The invaders crossed the border at 2 PM and headed toward Blaine on foot.  The incursion caught officials on both sides of the border off guard and they did nothing to stop the invasion.  First stop was to rip down the plaques on the Peace Arch that read, "May These Gates Never Be Closed,"  then they used paint to creatively update the look of the arch.  From there they planned on marching 19 miles to Washington State to occupy the country for six weeks, just like Nixon planned to do in Cambodia.  As they set off on their march they blocked the border in both directions and then went into downtown Blaine.  Once in Blaine they threw rocks and bottles at shops and banks and tore down several American flags.  All of this was too much for the brave men of Blaine and with minimal assistance from authorities they began a counter offensive designed to rid the nation of the breaded foes from the north.  The scene quickly became one long running fist fight from downtown Blaine to the border.  The invaders regrouped at the border and tried in vain to recapture Blaine but no avail, as the locals pushed them back across the border.  Once back in Canada the bearded ones began throwing rocks at trains headed north and then around 5 PM they simply went home.  Canada has never formally apologized for this unprovoked incursion on to American soil.