April 28, 1916

What was the first national organization of First World War veterans?

The first national organization of First World War veterans was founded in Wellington, New Zealand, with the establishment of the New Zealand Returned Soldiers’ Association (NZRSA) on 28 April 1916. Sparked by the return of wounded Gallipoli veterans and led by Captain Donald Simson, the NZRSA brought together delegates from across the country just days after the inaugural Anzac Day. Notably, the foundation meeting received messages of support from ANZAC Commander General Sir William Birdwood and Defence Minister James Allen, whose own son had died at Gallipoli. More than a century later, the NZRSA continues its legacy, representing over 100,000 members and maintaining 183 local branches throughout New Zealand.

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What was the first national organization of First World War veterans?

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Apr 30

1945 Who founded the Rangers of the United States Army?

Brigadier General William Orlando Darby, born and raised in Fort Smith, Arkansas, founded the famed United States Army Rangers during World War II. Known for his frontline leadership, Darby organized and led America’s first Ranger Battalion, which became legendary for its daring operations from North Africa to Italy. A tragic chapter unfolded at Cisterna during the Anzio campaign, where of the 767 Rangers sent into battle, 761 were killed or captured in a single night on January 30, 1944. Today, his legacy endures not only in military tradition but also through a striking bronze statue in Fort Smith, unveiled on April 30, 2016—exactly 71 years after Darby’s death in Italy just two days before Germany’s surrender.
May 2

2006 What is R.E.D. Friday?

R.E.D. Friday, which stands for Remember Everyone Deployed, began in the United States around 2003 as a grassroots movement encouraging people to wear red on Fridays to honor deployed troops. The movement found new energy in Canada in May 2006, when Lisa Miller and Karen Boire—two military wives from Petawawa, Ontario—brought it to national attention by organizing local and national rallies. Their efforts culminated in a memorable Red Friday Rally on Parliament Hill in Ottawa in September 2006, sparking a Canada-wide tradition that endures to this day. On Friday, 2 May 2025, Canadians mark the 19th anniversary of R.E.D. Friday, continuing to unite communities in visible support of military members and their families.
May 3

1915 What is "In Flanders Fields"?

In Flanders Fields" is the world-renowned war memorial poem written by Lieutenant-Colonel John McCrae while serving with the Canadian Army Medical Corps in Belgium. Composed on May 3, 1915, amid the devastation of the Second Battle of Ypres, the poem has become a symbol of remembrance for soldiers who died in conflict. A commemorative panel in Georgetown, Prince Edward Island, features the full text of McCrae’s poem, connecting this small Canadian community to the global legacy of remembrance.
May 5

1945 What is connection between Canada’s capital, tulips, and the Liberation of the Netherlands?

In Ottawa, Ontario, the Canadian Tulip Festival transforms the city each spring into a vibrant sea of flowers, honouring a unique bond between Canada and the Netherlands. This annual celebration marks both the critical role Canadian troops played in the 1945 liberation of the Netherlands and the extraordinary gesture of gratitude from the Dutch royal family, who sent tens of thousands of tulips as thanks for sanctuary during World War II. Today, more than 35,000 tulips brighten Beechwood Cemetery’s botanical gardens alone, while visitors and photographers from around the world gather to capture their beauty and reflect on sacrifices made decades ago. In 2025, the 73rd festival will also commemorate the 81st anniversary of the Netherlands’ liberation, keeping the legacy of friendship and peace blooming for new generations.
May 8

2016 How is it that there were more civilian deaths than military during the Second World War?

The Mémorial des civils dans la guerre, located in Falaise, Normandy, stands as the first museum in the world solely dedicated to civilians caught in the devastation of armed conflict. Highlighting the grim reality that over 30 million civilians perished—more than military personnel—during the Second World War, the memorial brings attention to this historic turning point in the nature of wartime suffering. Opened on 8 May 2016, the museum is uniquely situated near the birthplace of William the Conqueror, and features a remarkable archaeological find: the preserved remains of a home destroyed in an August 1944 bombing, discovered during construction and now integrated into its exhibitions. As we mark the 10th anniversary of the memorial, visitors are invited to explore three floors of history recounting occupation, resistance, and the unforgettable stories of survival and loss in cities like Saint-Lô and Le Havre, where civilian casualties reached staggering numbers.
May 10

1863 How did Confederate General Thomas Jonathan Jackson acquire the nickname 'Stonewall'?

Confederate Lieutenant General Thomas Jonathan Jackson, remembered as 'Stonewall,' earned his famous nickname at the First Battle of Bull Run near Manassas, Virginia, on July 21, 1861. His steadfast leadership in closing a dangerous gap in the Confederate line inspired fellow General Bernard Bee to reportedly rally his troops by comparing Jackson to a “stone wall.” While several versions of Bee’s words exist, Jackson’s resolute stand made his new moniker legendary throughout the Civil War. The bronze statue marking his grave in Lexington, Virginia, was dedicated on the battle’s anniversary, honoring his enduring legacy more than three decades after his death.
May 17

2006 Who was the first female Canadian soldier to be killed in combat?

Captain Nichola K.S. Goddard, M.S.M., holds a distinguished place in Canadian military history as the first female soldier killed in combat, and the first army officer since the Korean War to direct artillery fire against the enemy. Her death occurred on May 17, 2006, during a fierce firefight with Taliban insurgents in Afghanistan, marking a pivotal moment for women in Canada’s armed forces. Goddard’s final resting place is the National Military Cemetery in Ottawa, where her legacy continues to inspire and remind the nation of her service and sacrifice.
May 19

1867 Why do Canadians observe Victoria Day?

Canadians observe Victoria Day each May in honor of Queen Victoria, whose birthday on May 24th became a national holiday in 1845. The celebration recognizes her pivotal role in approving the formation of the Dominion of Canada in 1867, shaping the nation’s identity. One of the country's earliest tributes, the Queen Victoria Memorial Fountain in Vancouver’s Stanley Park, was unveiled on her birthday in 1906, funded in part by thousands of schoolchildren who sold black-edged memorial cards after the Queen’s death. Today, Victoria Day uniquely commemorates both Queen Victoria and the reigning sovereign, marking it as a dual celebration of history and monarchy across Canada.
May 26

1867 Who is considered one of Canada's most prominent surgeon, physical educator, and sculptor during the 20th century?

Robert Tait McKenzie, born in 1867 in Almonte, Ontario, emerged as one of Canada’s most influential surgeon, physical educator, and sculptor of the 20th century. Celebrated for pioneering modern fitness and rehabilitation practices, McKenzie is equally renowned for his athletic-themed sculptures and monumental war memorials. His Scottish-American War Memorial, unveiled in Edinburgh in 1927, stands as a testament to his artistry and the international impact of his work; notably, McKenzie requested his heart be buried in Scotland, a wish that was partly fulfilled after his death in 1938. Today, his legacy endures in institutions like the Mill of Kintail Museum and the Tait McKenzie Centre in Toronto, inspiring new generations to appreciate his contributions to medicine, sport, and art.
May 28

1925 Who was Canada's Artillery Commander in the Great War?

Major-General Sir Edward Morrison, Canada's Artillery Commander during the Great War, played a pivotal role in some of the Canadian Corps' greatest victories on the Western Front, including Vimy Ridge and Passchendaele. Despite his extraordinary leadership and the corps' unmatched record, Morrison remained largely forgotten for a century until historian Susan Raby-Dunne uncovered his remarkable story and connection to John McCrae, author of “In Flanders Fields.” In 2017, Morrison’s previously vanished grave marker at Ottawa’s Beechwood Cemetery was restored and formally rededicated, bringing overdue recognition to a commander whose strategic direction led to sixty percent of the war’s total casualties being inflicted by Canadian guns. As we mark the 100th anniversary of his death in 2025, Morrison’s legacy now stands as a testament to the courage, skill, and sacrifice of Canada’s artillery and the men he led.

2000 When was the Canadian Unknown Soldier entombed at the National War Memorial, Ottawa?

Canada’s Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, located at the foot of the National War Memorial in Ottawa, stands as a profound symbol of national remembrance. The unidentified soldier was repatriated from the Cabaret Rouge British War Cemetery near Vimy Ridge, a site deeply significant to Canada’s military heritage. Unveiled on May 28, 2000, the sarcophagus—designed by sculptor Mary-Ann Liu—was modeled after the altar of the Canadian National Vimy Memorial in France. This year, 2025, marks the 25th anniversary of this moving tribute to the sacrifices and unity of generations of Canadians.