April 21, 1926

Who 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.

Read this entry→
Who is the longest-serving monarch in British history?

Upcoming Articles

10 articles

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.

May5

1945What 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.

May8

2016How 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.

May10

1863How 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.

May17

2006Who 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.