Brock University’s namesake turned 247 years old Thursday, and hundreds turned out to celebrate.

For the second year in a row, Brock staff, faculty and students marked the Oct. 6 birthdate of Maj.-Gen. Sir Isaac Brock with a gathering in front of his statue.

The event had a dance demonstration by the Brock Dance team, the singing of Happy Birthday and red and white cupcakes.

An hour after the party at the statue, The General also got birthday greetings in Ottawa when Conservative MP Peter Van Loan stood up in the House of Commons to remind fellow parliamentarians of the significant date:

“Brock’s military genius and courage inspired the militia to repeated success in defence of their country. With the support of the brilliant Shawnee warrior-leader Tecumseh, Brock achieved a significant victory at the Siege of Detroit, despite being vastly outnumbered.

“Tragically, Brock bravely fell leading a charge of his troops against the Americans in his greatest victory at the Battle of Queenston Heights in October 1812. With his final words — ‘Push on, brave York volunteers!’ — he inspired the Canadians to victory.

“Today, he lies beneath the monument on the hallowed ground of that victory above the Niagara River – the monument a visible reminder to the citizens of Canada and the United States of the sacrifices made and Canada’s victory.

“If not for Brock’s strong leadership and sacrifice, our country would not exist as it does today, having defeated American manifest destiny, a strong and distinct nation in its own right.”