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York was the original name of Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The town was established in 1793 by Governor John Graves Simcoe, who believed that York, judged to be less vulnerable to attack by the Americans, would be a superior site for the capital of Upper Canada, which was then at Newark (now Niagara-on-the-Lake). York became the capital of Upper Canada on February 1, 1796.
York was indeed attacked by American forces during the War of 1812, and was pillaged and partially burned down on April 27, 1813. (For details, please see Battle of York.) In retaliation of this arsony, when Canadian and British forces attacked the American capital of Washington, D.C. the following year on August 24, many public buildings were burnt. White paint was subsequently used to disguise the blackened exterior walls of the presidential office and residence, making the mansion the White House.
On March 6, 1834, York was incorporated as the city of Toronto. The first mayor of Toronto was William Lyon Mackenzie.
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