1865Why are the remains of U.S. President Abraham Lincoln resting in a concrete vault ten feet below the floor of the burial chamber?1947What is Jackie Robinson Day?
April 15, 1865

Why are the remains of U.S. President Abraham Lincoln resting in a concrete vault ten feet below the floor of the burial chamber?

The remains of Abraham Lincoln, the 16th President of the United States, rest in a concrete vault ten feet beneath the floor of his tomb at Oak Ridge Cemetery in Springfield, Illinois. After his assassination in 1865, a near-theft of Lincoln’s body in 1876 and continuing threats led to extraordinary security measures to ensure his perpetual safety. In September 1901, his casket was identified one final time before being encased in a steel cage and entombed under 4,000 pounds of cement, making it virtually impossible to disturb. Lincoln's journey to lasting peace involved 17 moves of his casket before this remarkable burial, which remains a unique chapter in American presidential history.

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Why are the remains of U.S. President Abraham Lincoln resting in a concrete vault ten feet below the floor of the burial chamber?

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Apr18

1982What is the International Day for Monuments and Sites?

The International Day for Monuments and Sites, first proposed by ICOMOS in Hammamet, Tunisia, and officially adopted by UNESCO in Paris, marks an annual celebration of global cultural heritage every 18 April. Highlighting the importance of preserving historical sites and appreciating the diverse stories they tell, the day encourages reflection on our shared past and the need to protect monuments for future generations. In 2021, Canada joined the observance with a weeklong national conversation exploring heritage, diversity, and inclusion, echoing the day's theme of “Complex Pasts: Diverse Futures.” Among the monuments honored are the Grand Canyon, Old Town Lunenburg, Antoni Gaudí’s masterpieces in Barcelona, and the ancient ruins of Pompeii and Herculaneum—four of the 1,121 treasures on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Apr19

1775What was the "shot heard round the world"?

The phrase "shot heard round the world" famously comes from Ralph Waldo Emerson’s "Concord Hymn," commemorating the events at Concord, Massachusetts, on April 19, 1775, where the first American victory of the Revolutionary War took place. Although the day's initial shots rang out earlier in Lexington, it was at Concord’s North Bridge that colonial militiamen first returned British fire, signaling a turning point in the fight for independence. This conflict has inspired monuments such as the North Bridge obelisk dedicated in 1837 and Daniel Chester French’s iconic "Minute Man" statue, unveiled a century later in 1875 from melted Civil War cannons. Today, the legacy of these pivotal moments is celebrated each April during Massachusetts’ Patriots’ Day festivities, honoring both the struggle and the stories that shaped a nation.

Apr20

1976Which two Canadian athletes became the very first horse-and-rider combination to win two consecutive World Cup victories?

In the world of Canadian equestrian sport, Ian Millar and his remarkable horse Big Ben, based in Perth, Ontario, made history as the first horse-and-rider duo to win two consecutive World Cup final titles in 1988 and 1989. Their partnership redefined the sporting landscape, capturing the imagination of fans by demonstrating that greatness in athletics transcends species. Big Ben, a towering liver chestnut originally foaled in Belgium in 1976, overcame early doubts about his size to win over 40 Grand Prix events and amass more than $1.5 million in prize money—an unprecedented feat for a North American show jumper. Today, their legacy endures not only through record-breaking achievements, but also in the form of a bronze statue erected in 2005 in Perth’s Big Ben Park, immortalizing the team in full flight.

Apr21

1926Who is the longest-serving monarch in British history?

Queen Elizabeth II, born in London on 21 April 1926, became the longest-serving monarch in British history, surpassing the reign of Queen Victoria on 9 September 2015. Her extraordinary tenure was marked by countless milestones, including her Sapphire Jubilee in 2017 after 65 years on the throne. A striking testament to her legacy stands on Parliament Hill in Ottawa: a larger-than-life bronze equestrian monument unveiled on 1 July 1992, crafted by Jack Harman and featuring the Queen on Centenial, a horse gifted by Canada. Remarkably, this is the world’s first equestrian statue of Her Majesty, and the only monument on Parliament Hill that was not erected posthumously.

Apr24

1915What is the significance of Armenian Genocide Memorial Day?

Armenian Genocide Memorial Day, observed annually on April 24th in countries around the world, honors the memory of the estimated 1.5 million Armenians killed in the Ottoman Empire through torture, starvation, and massacre during World War I. The solemn day marks the beginning of the genocide in 1915, when Ottoman authorities arrested over 2,000 Armenian intellectuals in Istanbul, igniting a campaign of violence that would nearly destroy an entire culture. One of the earliest memorials, erected in 1919 at the former Pangaltı Armenian Cemetery in Istanbul, was later lost, but today there are about 200 memorials in 32 countries, including the Armenian Martyrs Memorial in Phoenix, Arizona, dedicated in 1944. The 110th anniversary in 2025 serves as a poignant reminder of both the victims and the ongoing struggle for global recognition and justice.

Apr25

1915What commemorative day is considered one of the most important public holidays for Australians and New Zealanders?

Anzac Day, observed annually on 25 April in Australia and New Zealand, stands as one of the most significant public holidays for both nations, commemorating their troops' first major military engagement at Gallipoli, Turkey, in 1915. This day not only honors the 60,000 Australians and 18,000 New Zealanders who died in war but also recognizes the enduring camaraderie and sacrifice shared between the two countries. One striking symbol of this relationship is The New Zealand Memorial on Canberra’s Anzac Parade, where two bronze flax basket handles—each designed with unique indigenous motifs—meet as a tribute to unity and resilience. Marking milestones like the 110th anniversary of Gallipoli and the 24th anniversary of the memorial’s unveiling in 2025, Anzac Day continues to deepen the legacy of bravery, friendship, and remembrance across generations.

Apr28

1916What 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.

Apr30

1945Who 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.

May2

2006What 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.

May3

1915What 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.