Explorations in memorials & commemoration and their meaning

by André M. Levesque

Explorations in memorials & commemoration and their meaning

by André M. Levesque

November 24

What is considered the most significant memorial dedicated to animals that died in wars and conflicts?

Considered the most significant memorial devoted to commemorating animals that died in wars and conflicts is 'The Animals in War Memorial' that is loc...

November 29

How the horrible massacre of Native Americans by U.S. Soldiers on the banks of the Sand Creek in 1864 is commemorated and memorialized today?

At dawn on 29 November 1864, the Union Civil War officer Colonel John M. Chivington (27 January 1821 – 4 October 1894) led 675 cavalry troops from t...

December 2

What monument was erected in Paris in honour of what is considered Napoléon's greatest military victory?

Emulating the Trajan Column in Rome (113 AD), the 'Colonne de la Grande Armée' was erected in 1810 at the same emplacement as that of the equestrian ...

December 3

What is the veneration of relics?

Monuments and memorials commemorate people, groups, or events and take shape in various types and forms. They typically consist of a structure such as...

December 6

What was the largest man-made explosion prior to the Atomic Bomb being unleashed on Hiroshima?

During the Great War, on 6 December 1917, the day started like most in Halifax, Nova Scotia, with school children laughing as they made their way to s...

December 7

What U.S. national day of remembrance had been earlier declared as "a date which will live in infamy"?

On the morning of 7 December 1941, the Imperial Japanese Navy and Air Force attacked Naval Station Pearl Harbor in Honolulu, Hawaii. The attack came a...

December 7

What is the largest wreath-laying program in America and Canada?

The largest wreath-laying program in America was inadvertently started in 1992 by Morril Worcester, owner of Worcester Wreath Company of Harrington, M...

December 8

What inspired the most beloved and famous of all war poems?

By 3 May 1915, the Great War had dragged on for over 38 weeks. When it began on 4 August 1914 for Britain and her colonies and dominions, everyone pre...

December 12

Who was the first Premier of the Province of Ontario?

The Honourable John Sandfield Macdonald, Q.C. (12 December 1812 – 1 June 1871) was joint premier of the Province of Canada as the attorney general o...

December 13

Who is considered British Columbia's most famous artist?

Located along the harbourfront on the grounds of the Fairmont Empress Hotel in Victoria, British Columbia, is a statue dedicated to one of Canada's be...

December 16

What is known as the "greatest battle ever fought by the United States Army"?

The Battle of the Bulge, also known as the Battle of the Ardennes was called "the greatest American battle of the war" by Sir Winston Churchill when h...

December 19

Who was the first Canadian soldier to have earned the Victoria Cross during the Second World War?

Company Sergeant-Major John Osborn (2 January 1899 - 19 December 1941) was the first Canadian soldier in the Second World War to have earned the Victo...

December 21

What is considered America's least imposing and oldest monument that has hundreds of thousands who visit the site every year?

History is about interpreting the past. History is not only about "what really happened in the past" but is also to put the past into context and give...

December 25

Who is known as the "Father of New France" and what did he accomplish?

Known as the "Father of New France", Samuel de Champlain (baptised 13 August 1574 – 25 December 1635) was born in the French seaport town of Brouage...

December 25

Who was nicknamed the "Angel of the Battlefield" during the American Civil War and founded the American Red Cross in 1881?

Educator, nurse and founder of the American Red Cross, Clarissa Harlowe Barton (25 December 1821-12 April 1912), known as Clara, is one of the most ho...

December 29

Who was the first Canadian-born doctor of African descent and cared for dying President Abraham Lincoln in Washington, D.C.?

Dr. Anderson Ruffin Abbott (7 April 1837 – 29 December 1913) was born in Toronto to Wilson Ruffin Abbott (1801–1876) and Ellen (Toyer) Abbott (180...

January 1

Which British architect is known to have made a significant contribution to memorials and commemoration during the 20th century?

At the outset of the Great War, Sir Edwin Lutyens (29 March 1869 – 1 January 1944) was commissioned to design suitable cemeteries and memorials to t...

January 1

Who was named the first matron of the Canadian Army Medical Corps and was also Canada's first recipient of the Royal Red Cross?

Known as Canada's own "Florence Nightingale", Georgina Fane Pope (1 January 1862 – 6 June 1938) was born in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island. As ...

January 8

Who was the creator of the first self-balanced rampant equestrian statue in the world and what was the first bronze statue cast in the United States?

American military memorials have had considerable impact on how its nation views its past history as well as how it wants to commemorate it. While som...

January 9

Which of the 182 recipients that were awarded the Victoria Cross for their gallantry during the Indian Mutiny of 1857 is buried in Toronto, Ontario?

The Indian Mutiny of 1857 – also called Sepoy Mutiny, the Indian Rebellion, or the First War of Indian Independence – began as a mutiny of sepoys ...

January 12

What were the Battles of Monte Cassino during the Second World War?

The Italian Campaign consisted of an Allied push that began in Sicily in July 1943 and in mainland Italy from September 1943 to February 1945. During ...

January 12

Who was the first United States soldier to be awarded the Medal of Honor in World War II?

Alexander Ramsey Nininger Jr. (20 October 1918 - 12 January 1942) was born in Gainesville, Georgia, but was raised in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. During...

January 12

Why did it take more than 160 years for Edgar Allan Poe to be commemorated in his native city of Boston?

Edgar Allan Poe (19 January 1809 – 7 October 1849) is considered one of the most important figures in American literature who was penchant for writi...

January 22

Which French military decoration is called the "medal of the brave" or "the jewel of the armies"?

Created on 22 January 1852 by Louis-Napoléon Bonaparte, future Napoléon III, the Military Medal (Médaille Militaire), also called the "medal of the...

January 23

Who is the Canadian-born master spy to whom Winston Churchill gave the code name 'INTREPID'?

This Canadian soldier, airman, inventor, industrialist, and spymaster is none other than Sir William Samuel Stephenson, C.C., M.C., D.F.C. (23 January...

January 24

What is the most celebrated state funeral for a 'commoner' in the United Kingdom?

In the history of public commemoration in the United Kingdom, the most celebrated state funeral for a 'commoner' was for war-time prime minister, The ...

January 28

What space shuttle disaster resulted in the establishment of more than 40 Learning Centers focusing on science, technology, engineering and math?

It was during the morning of 28 January 1986 that the U.S. space shuttle Challenger exploded after take off at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Th...

February 1

When did Canada officially recognize Black History Month?

1 February 2025 marks the launch of the 30th annual commemoration of Black History Month. It was on 14 December 1995 that the Canadian House of Common...

February 3

What is the French 'Gratitude Train' of 1949?

In the aftermath of World War II, America was widely regarded by its government officials as a "leader of the free peoples of the world" and felt obli...

February 6

How important was the use of "troop trains" during times of war and peace?

As a new form of transportation, railways were often used during times of war and peace. In Canada, one of the earliest known cases of troop movements...

February 6

Which U.S. President is known as the 'Savior of the Union' and emancipator of the slaves?

Abraham Lincoln, the man who preserved the Union and issued the Emancipation Proclamation was born on 12 February 1809 in a one-room log cabin near Ho...

February 14

What famous sculpture in Paris unites 'Marianne' and the national anthem of France?

During the French Revolution of 1789, the new French Republic established the use of 'Marianne' as its' own national emblem. Although Marianne never b...

February 14

When do Canadians observe the National Flag of Canada Day?

Canadians observe the National Flag of Canada Day on February 15th. It was on 15 February 1965 that the Canadian Red Ensign – the de facto Canadian ...

February 17

What is the difference between a 'static' and a 'living' memorial?

Similar to volcanoes that can be described as either in an active or dormant stage, memorials can also be portrayed as either 'living' or 'static'. A ...

February 21

What became of the other unknown soldiers that were considered for selection of a French 'Soldat Inconnu' in 1920?

As we commemorate the onset of the Battle of Verdun (21 February – 18 December 1916), one of the most savagely fought battles of the First World War...

February 21

Who is the only woman to be awarded the U.S. Medal of Honor?

According to the Congressional Medal of Honor Society, 3530 Medals of Honor have been awarded for action above and beyond the call of duty since it wa...

February 22

Where was George Washington born?

Was George Washington born in England? At least, those were the rumours that were published in "Notes and Queries" in January 1857 but in the end were...

February 22

Who was the first hockey player to win the Stanley Cup four years in a row?

Known as "one of the greatest and finest figures in history of sports in Canada" is Edward George Gerard (22 February 1890 – 7 August 1937). He was ...

February 26

Which Canadian Second World War hero from Latchford, Ontario was awarded the Victoria Cross postumously in 1945?

Sergeant Aubrey Cosens, V.C. (21 May 1921 – 26 February 1945) is the son of First World War veteran Charles E. Cosens and Yvonne Cosens, of Latchord...

February 26

What American landmark is widely regarded as one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World?

Carved out by the Colorado River in the State of Arizona about six million years ago is the Grand Canyon – a canyon that measures 277 miles long, up...

March 3

Which 17th century heroine is known as the "Canadian Joan of Arc"?

Fourth of the twelve children of François Jarret de Verchères, an officer and a seigneur in New France, and Marie Perrot, Marie-Madeleine Jarret de ...

March 7

What town dedicated to remembrance appointed itself as the official 'Center of the World'?

French-born Jacques-André Istel (1929 – ), a former lieutenant in the U.S. Marines during the Korean War, known as the "father of American skydivin...

March 9

Which highly decorated Canadian Indigenous soldier is regarded as the most effective sniper of the First World War?

Among the more than 650,000 men and women from Canada and Newfoundland who served during the Great War, over 66,000 gave their lives and more than 172...

March 9

What is the first monument erected in honour of French soldiers who died while serving in external operations?

In October 2011, General Bernard Thorette, former Chief of Staff of the French Army (2002 – 2006), proposed to erect a national monument in Paris de...

March 10

What was the first monument in honour of a woman accomplished by a woman?

In both the United States and Canada, the transformation from memorializing women in a representational and collective sense to that of identifiable w...

March 14

Who is the oldest sailor in any Allied Navies during the First World War?

Being identified as the oldest sailor in the British Navy or any of the Allied Navies to see service during the First World War is something to be pro...

March 17

Who is officially recognized as the last surviving French combatant from the First World War?

France's last surviving combatant from the First World War is Italian-born Lazare Ponticelli (24 December 1897 – 12 March 2008) – the last 'poilu'...

March 27

What is the significance of the Hall of Memory at the Australian War Memorial?

As its name suggests, the Australian War Memorial is a shrine to their nation's more than 100,000 war dead. The Memorial is also a world-class museum ...

March 28

What American World War II symbol was promoted as "The World's Most Unique Monument"?

The Monument of States was the brainchild of Charles Wesley Bressler-Pettis, M.D. (12 February 1889 - 13 May 1954) and was completed in 1943 with a tw...

March 29

Who is reputedly the first European to set foot in British Columbia, Canada?

During the last glacial period which ended about 20,000 years ago, ice covered all land areas and extended into the oceans onto the middle and outer c...

April 4

What is the significance of the Panthéon on the Montagne Sainte-Geneviève in Paris?

The Panthéon is the masterpiece of the architect Jacques-Germain Soufflot (22 July 1713 – 29 August 1780) located in the 5th arrondissement on the ...

April 7

What was Canada’s first state funeral?

Canada's first state funeral was conducted in circumstances similar to that of Lincoln when on 7 April 1868, the Honourable Thomas D'Arcy McGee (b. 13...

April 8

Which military decoration did France create during the Great War to recognize acts of bravery on the battlefield?

At the beginning of the Great War, France as well as the former British Empire did not have a specific decoration recognizing acts of bravery, either ...

April 9

When did Vimy Ridge become a National Historic Site of Canada?

It was not until 1996 that the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada designated Vimy Ridge - located in northern France, fourteen kilometres no...

April 10

Who was the first Canadian woman to be decorated for gallantry during the Second World War and was the first living Canadian to have a ship named after her?

In her lifetime, Lieutenant Commander Margaret Martha Brooke, M.B.E., C.D. (10 April 1915 – 9 January 2016) achieved a number of notable 'firsts'. B...

April 14

What is the significance of the Monchy-le-Preux Newfoundland Memorial?

While the population of Newfoundland was about 240,000 in 1914, is known that more than 6,000 men enlisted in the Newfoundland Regiment which served i...

April 15

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

While the life of Abraham Lincoln (12 February 1809 - 15 April 1865) - the 16th President of the United States - was tragically cut short, it was his ...

April 15

What is Jackie Robinson Day?

Anyone who knows a little something about baseball will have heard about Jack Roosevelt "Jackie" Robinson (31 January 1919 – 24 October 1972) – th...

April 18

What is the International Day for Monuments and Sites?

The International Day for Monuments and Sites was created on 18 April 1982, when it was suggested at a meeting of the Bureau in Hammamet, Tunisia, by ...

April 19

What was the "shot heard round the world"?

The phrase of "shot heard around the world" originates from Ralph Waldo Emerson's (25 May 1803 - 27 April 1882) poem about the Battle of Concord, titl...

April 20

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

In 1996, Canada's Sports Hall of Fame enshrined two athletes that were "at the forefront of the Canadian equestrian scene." Would you be surprised if ...

April 21

Who is the longest-serving monarch in British history?

Queen Elizabeth II was born Princess Elizabeth Alexandra Mary on 21 April 1926, in London, to Prince Albert, Duke of York (later King George VI) and E...

April 24

What is the significance of Armenian Genocide Memorial Day?

April 24th is recognized annually by about 24 countries as 'Armenian Genocide Memorial Day', 'Armenian Genocide Commemoration Day', or 'Genocide Remem...

April 25

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

As former British colonies, Australia and New Zealand have a shared history of memorials and commemoration as many of their military leaders were eith...

April 28

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

It is more than one hundred years ago that the first national organization of First World War veterans was formed-up in Wellington, New Zealand.In lat...

April 30

Who founded the Rangers of the United States Army?

William Orlando Darby (8 February 1911 – 30 April 1945) was born, raised, and educated in Fort Smith, Arkansas. After completing high school in 1929...

May 2

What is R.E.D. Friday?

R.E.D. is an acronym that stands for Remember Everyone Deployed. What began as an email initiative throughout the United States since about 2003, the ...

May 3

What is "In Flanders Fields"?

"In Flanders Fields" is considered perhaps the world's most famous war memorial poem composed by Lieutenant-Colonel John McCrae who served with Canadi...

May 5

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

Since 1953, Canada's most colourful festival celebrates the tulip, Ottawa's official flower and an international symbol of friendship and peace, throu...

May 8

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

If devastation during the Second World War does not spare Asia, in the cities which were subjected to the intensive bombings of the Americans, the Eur...

May 10

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

Lieutenant General Thomas Jonathan Jackson (21 January 1824 - 10 May 1863) is considered the best-known Confederate commander after General Robert E. ...

May 17

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

This solemn day is set aside to pay tribute to Captain Nichola K.S. Goddard, M.S.M. (2 May 1980 – 17 May 2006) who rests in peace at the National Mi...

May 19

Why do Canadians observe Victoria Day?

Canadians observe Victoria Day on May 24th or on the preceding Monday. This holiday is named after Queen Victoria (24 May 1819 - 22 January 1901), the...

May 26

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

Robert Tait McKenzie (26 May 1867 - 28 April 1938) – renowned athlete, physician, surgeon, soldier, physical educator, and sculptor – was born in ...

May 28

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

While the idea to create a tomb of the Unknown for Canada dates back to the First World War, concrete action did not take place until 1996 when Jean-Y...

May 28

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

It took exactly one hundred years for Major-General Sir Edward Morrison, K.C.M.G., C.B., D.S.O.  (6 July 1865 - 28 May 1925), Canada's Artillery ...

May 31

Which of Napoléon Bonaparte's generals did he nicknamed the "Achilles" of the Grande Armée?

Jean Lannes was born on 10 April 1769 – the same year as one of the most influential leaders in the history of the West, Napoléon Bonaparte (1769-1...

June 1

What was the first major battle fought by Americans in World War I?

In early 1918, the German Army, freed from fighting a two-front war decided to launch a massive Spring Offensive on the Western Front. The first major...

June 4

What were the 2014 Moncton Shootings?

The 2014 Moncton shootings were a series of shootings that took place on 4 June 2014 in Moncton, New Brunswick. Justin Bourque, a 24-year-old local, s...

June 7

What is the significance of Canadian Armed Forces Day?

Canadian Armed Forces Day is observed each year on the first Sunday in June as the result of a private member's motion passed in the House of Commons ...

June 12

What 19th century site in Prince Edward Island inspired Canadian author Lucy Maud Montgomery to write the popular 'Anne of Green Gables' novel?

Born on Prince Edward Island, Canada's smallest province, Lucy Maud Montgomery, O.B.E. (30 November 1874 - 24 April 1942) as a child often visited the...

June 18

Who chose the moniker for the 'Battle of Waterloo' in 1815?

It was 207 years ago - on Sunday, 18 June 1815 - that some 55,000 soldiers were either killed, wounded or missing in action from both sides during the...

June 18

During the Second World War, which French leader appealed to its people to rally in support of the Resistance?

On the site of the French military school of Saint-Cyr Coëtquidan, south of Brittany, new officers are trained each year while the "Menhir aux Cadets...

June 24

What is St. John's Day?

The Most Venerable Order of the Hospital of St. John of Jerusalem originated in a hospice founded around 1070 to care for pilgrims, which was dedicate...

June 25

What is the Musical Ride of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police?

Shown is an amazing sight of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police Musical Ride after completing rehearsal training in Ottawa, Ontario. The officer in cha...

June 30

Why is a statue of George Washington located in London, England?

One example of a memorial used as a means of reconciliation is that of a bronze statue of George Washington which stands in front of London's National...

July 1

What is the significance of the Battle of the Somme for the Newfoundland Regiment?

For most Canadians, the 1st of July is an opportunity to celebrate Canada Day. However, in the province of Newfoundland and Labrador, the day has a mo...

July 4

What is one of the oldest war memorials in the United States of America?

The American Revolutionary War played a critical role in helping unite the original fourteen settlements to found a new country. The first skirmish wi...

July 4

What is Mount Edith Cavell?

Edith Cavell (4 December 1865 - 12 October 1915), an English nurse, was among a group of thirty-five people who were arrested by the Germans in August...

July 4

What is the world's longest covered bridge?

At 1,282 feet or 390.75 metres long, the Hartland Bridge in Hartland, New Brunswick, is the longest covered bridge extant in the world. In 1898, plans...

July 5

What military unit was known as Canada's Black Battalion during the First World War?

Like thousands of other Canadians during the First World War, young black soldiers were eager to serve their country. But at the time, informal segreg...

July 10

Who had the distinction of being the first woman to set up a medical practice in the province of Prince Edward Island?

Located in St. John's Presbyterian Church Cemetery, Belfast, Prince Edward Island is the grave of Elizabeth Margaret MacKenzie (10 July 1879 - 17 Febr...

July 12

What memorial bridge erected in Canada's capital was named in honour of the heroes of the Battle of Vimy Ridge, France?

Structural memorials, such as arches, buildings, walkways, gardens, and benches have become popular in their usage since the 19th century. Bridges tha...

July 15

What is the oldest community within the current City of Ottawa, Ontario?

Richmond Village, Ontario – the oldest community within the current City of Ottawa – celebrated their 200th anniversary of their founding during t...

July 17

What is considered the only Crimean War monument in North America?

The Welsford-Parker Monument (also known as the Sebastopol monument or the Crimean War monument) is a memorial arch located in Halifax’s Old Burying...

July 19

What does the term Cobber represent to Australian troops?

In 1998, the Australian Government opened the Australian Memorial Park in Fromelles (France) on a section of the old German Front line, with the 'Cobb...

July 22

What is a 'rolling memorial'?

Considered perhaps North America's fastest growing form of commemoration is the 'rolling memorial'. These memorials consist of cars, trucks, semi-trai...

July 24

What is the 'first collective memorial' erected along the former Great War front in France and Belgium

Sir Reginald Blomfield, one of the principal architects of the Imperial (now Commonwealth) War Graves Commission during the Great War, was given the p...

July 28

What Canadian Heritage River watershed is larger than England?

Over a period of fifteen years, there are many who made exceptional contributions during the course of a complex and multi-faceted project that result...

August 1

What is the "Trail of the Whispering Giants" that is found in every American state and two provinces in Canada?

It was in 1972 in La Jolla, California that Hungarian-born American artist Peter Wolf Toth (b. December 1947) began to carve giant Indian stone or woo...

August 4

What were the casualties of the Great War?

Four years of fighting ensued after the declaration of the Great War on 4 August 1914. Canada and Newfoundland, as all colonies and dominions of the B...

August 4

Why is the soil in Pozières, France so important to the Australians?

On this French soil stands a plaque, permanently etched in stone are the words: "The ruin of Pozières windmill which lies here was the centre of the ...

August 5

What is the tallest all-granite structure in the United States?

Whether you arrive by land, sea or sky, the Pilgrim Monument is the first thing you see when you approach Provincetown, Massachusetts. Standing at 252...

August 6

Who are the Victims of Wars?

The Victims of Wars are everyone... They include those military members who served in operations and all those civilians - especially children - who s...

August 7

What is considered Russia's first modern national memorial?

The fate of Russia changed when German Sophie, Princess of Anhalt-Zerbst (21 April [2 May new style] 1729 – 6 November [17 November] 1796) married i...

August 7

What is the Purple Heart Trail?

The Purple Heart Trail was established in 1992 by the Military Order of the Purple Heart (MOPH) to be a symbolic trail that commemorates and honours a...

August 9

When do Canadians commemorate Peacekeepers' Day?

While the International Day of United National Peacekeepers is traditionally held on 29 May, Canadians prefer to commemorate Peacekeepers' Day on 9 Au...

August 12

Which Army pharmacist introduced the potato as a food source for humans in France in 1772?

Look closer at the photograph, it is a potato and not a pebble that is lined up along the ledge of this monument in Père Lachaise Cemetery in Paris. ...

August 13

What is the significance of Mouquet Farm, France to the Australian Imperial Forces in 1916?

Mouquet Farm was the scene of intensive fighting during the First World War, from July through to early September 1916. A German stronghold, just 1000...

August 15

What is the only known memorial that includes the specific name of an animal alongside names of the fallen and those who have served in a battle?

Located on the banks of the Rideau River in Ottawa, Ontario, is a six-metre granite-sheathed memorial wall, etched with the names of all those Canadia...

August 15

Which monument in the United States has the dual distinction of being the oldest 'women's monument' in North Carolina and one of America's tallest monuments dedicated to the women of the Revolution?

One of the first battles of the American Revolution was fought at Moores Creek (in Pender County, near Currie, North Carolina) on 27-28 February 1776....

August 15

Was Napoleon Bonaparte born French and was he really short?

Napoleon Bonaparte (15 August 1769 – 5 May 1821) revolutionized warfare and changed Europe radically. Born in Ajaccio on the island of Corsica in 17...

August 15

What is the significance of the Sandakan Memorial Park in Malaysia to the Australians and British?

In 1942 and 1943, during the Second World War, Japanese troops brought allied Prisoners of War (POWs) to Sandakan in Malaysia, as labour force to buil...

August 25

Which monument in the United States has the distinction of being the only one erected to a woman by women?

According to the Daughters of the American Revolution, the Mary Washington Monument, located on Washington Avenue in Fredericksburg, Virginia, is "the...

August 26

What is the significance of the Dury Canadian Memorial in France?

The Dury Canadian Memorial is a First World War battlefield memorial that commemorates the hard-fought actions during the Second Battle of Arras to br...

August 26

Which famous Catholic religious leader is known as one of the great humanitarians of the 20th century?

Saint Teresa of Calcutta (26 August 1910 - 5 September 1997) was born Agnes Gonxha Bojaxhiu in Skopje, Macedonia and her parents of Albanian descent w...

August 27

Which Canadian has been conferred the Victoria Cross with a 'naval' blue ribbon?

Able Seaman William Hall (c.1829 - 27 August 1904) is the only Canadian to have been conferred the decoration of the Victoria Cross with a 'naval' blu...

September 2

What is the significance of Swissair Flight 111?

On 2 September 1998, an aircraft on a scheduled flight from New York, United States to Geneva, Switzerland crashed into St. Margaret's Bay, Nova Scoti...

September 2

What was the first national monument erected in the newly founded German Empire in its new capital city of Berlin?

On 18 January 1871, in the Hall of Mirrors at the Palace of Versailles, the Prussian King Wilhelm I was proclaimed Kaiser (Emperor) by the German prin...

September 3

What memorial commemorates civilian war casualties of the Mercantile Marine and the Merchant Navy?

The Tower Hill Memorial is the only memorial which commemorates merchant seamen exclusively.Located near the Tower of London, it commemorates seamen o...

September 3

Who is recognized as the first Colonel of the U.S. Army and was taken prisoner in Canada during the American Revolution?

Brigadier General William Thompson (5 June 1736 – 3 September 1781) was born in County Meath, Ireland, and emigrated to Carlisle, Pennsylvania. In 1...

September 6

Who created the Distinguished Service Order (DSO) and what does it recognize?

Queen Victoria instituted the Distinguished Service Order (DSO) on 6 September 1886 originally to reward junior officers in the Army for distinguished...

September 9

Where was the 1944 liberation of Paris decided?

There is a little-known historical episode of the Second World War that brings us into western France, on the banks of the Mayenne river. On 22 August...

September 10

What were the casualties of the Second World War?

Canada's engagement in the Second World War officially began on 10 September 1939. At the end of the war in 1945, more than 45,000 Canadians had lost ...

September 11

Were there any Canadians who died during the tragic events of 11 September 2001?

The culture of commemorations drastically changed as the result of the tragic events of 11 September 2001. On that day, early in the morning, hijacker...

September 12

Which Second World War fighter pilot successfully completed the flight testing of Canada's first supersonic aircraft in 1958?

A true pioneer, Janusz Zurakowski (12 September 1914 - 9 February 2004) was "considered to be the greatest test pilot of his time" and "a Polish Canad...

September 13

What are 'Flags of Remembrance'?

'Flags of Remembrance' is a national commemorative initiative that was launched in 2014 by Al Cameron, the founder of Veterans Voices of Canada – a ...

September 13

Who is the first woman to be recognized with a memorial erected by the Government of Canada?

Canada's first woman to be formally recognized and commemorated by the Government of Canada is Laura Ingersoll Secord (13 September 1775 – 17 Octobe...

September 15

Which monument in France is dedicated to all the men from the Tank Corps who fell during the Great War?

On 22 July 1922, representing His Majesty King George V, the Tanks Corps Monument was unveiled at Pozières, France by Montreal-born Lieutenant Genera...

September 16

What national monument is dedicated to the memory of those Canadians who served during the American Civil War?

Although the American Civil War occurred more than one and a half century ago (12 April 1861 – 9 May 1865), the issue of its commemoration remains c...

September 16

Who is the youngest recipient of the U.S. Medal of Honor?

William H. "Willie" Johnston (12 July 1850 – 16 September 1941) is one of 1,523 recipients who received the U.S. Medal of Honor during the American ...

September 18

What memorial is considered the first to be erected in Canada to recognize and commemorate the service and sacrifice of its community members of the military, police, peace officers and fire services?

The Prince Edward Island Service Memorial Fountain, located in Queen's Square, Charlottetown is considered the first memorial of its kind erected in C...

September 18

What is the longest network of recreational trails in the world?

The Trans Canada Trail – rebranded in 2017 as the Great Trail – is the longest network of recreational trails in the world. It extends about 24,10...

September 20

Who was known as 'The Angel of Marye's Heights' during the American Civil War?

It has been often said that while the American Civil War entailed immense destruction and tragedy, it did not always engender hate. Twenty months into...

September 21

What is the significance of the Battle of Britain to Canada?

Shown in the photograph are details of the Battle of Britain Monument located in London, United Kingdom. Designed by Paul Day, this bronze and granite...

September 28

Why are there two members of the Canadian Armed Forces' Military Police memorialized on the Alberta Police and Peace Officers' Memorial?

Police officers, peace officers, park wardens and members of the Military Police are considered part of the larger police force community, especially ...

September 29

What military memorial is considered one of the most controversial pieces of Canadian art?

Per Ardua ad Astra - 'Through Adversity to the Stars' - is the motto of the Royal Canadian Air Force and is also the official name of a memorial erect...

October 6

Who was known to have taken illegal photographs capturing front line experiences during the Great War?

Unlike today, when almost everyone has a mobile device that takes good quality photos, things were much different more than a century ago when "the ca...

October 9

What monument was a gift to Iceland from the United States to commemorate the 1000-year anniversary of the Althing, the oldest parliament in Western Civilization?

The "Leif Erikson Memorial" that stands in front of the Hallgrímskirkja church in Reykjavik, Iceland was designed by the American sculptor Alexander ...

October 9

What international memorial is dedicated to reporters and journalists killed while carrying out their work since 1944?

There is a unique memorial located in Bayeux, France, that commemorates all those reporters and journalists killed while carrying out their work acros...

October 12

What is the significance of Columbus Day and Indigenous Peoples' Day?

As one of eleven federal holidays observed in the United States of America, Columbus Day commemorates the anniversary of the arrival of Italian-born C...

October 13

What is considered the first memorial erected to the memory of an Indigenous person in Canada?

Considered the first memorial erected to the memory of an Indigenous person in Canada as well as one of the finest bronze monuments on the North Ameri...

October 13

Which figure is honoured with the first military memorial for the Province of Upper Canada?

Upper Canada's first military memorial was built to honour Major-General Sir Isaac Brock (6 October 1769 – 13 October 1812) who died while defending...

October 13

Who is known as "The Heroine of Monmouth" during the American Revolution?

Shown in the photograph is the monument marking the grave of Mary Ludwig Hays McCauley (13 October 1744 – 22 January 1832), better known as "Molly P...

October 15

What is the first permanent public art monument in Canada to honour survivors of sexual violence?

Emerging out of a long-time vision of the Women's Sexual Assault Centre of Renfrew County (Ontario), Toronto-based Red Dress Productions were invited ...

October 16

What was the first monument in the world dedicated to journalists killed in combat?

The first monument in the world dedicated to journalists killed in combat was built in 1896 by George Alfred Townsend (30 January 1841 - 15 April 1914...

October 21

What is Canada's first veterans' monument dedicated to those suffering from PTSD and homelessness?

The first Canadian monument dedicated to those veterans suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and homelessness can be found along the T...

October 22

What are the tragic events that occurred in Canada in October 2014?

It was in October 2014 that two members of the Canadian Armed Forces were killed on their home soil and that there was a shooting attack in the Centre...

October 25

Who is considered one of Canada's most decorated Indigenous war veterans who served during the Second World War and the Korean War?

Many Canadians are familiar with the heroism and devotion of Sergeant Thomas George Prince, M.M. (25 October 1915 – 25 November 1977) during the Sec...

October 30

What is claimed to be the first Great War memorial erected within Canada?

Typical of many other cities, towns and villages, Notre-Dame-de-Grâce - a residential borough of Montréal - began planning a local cenotaph soon aft...

October 30

Why is the tomb of U.S. President John Adams draped with a flag with 15 stars and 15 stripes?

John Adams (30 October 1735 – 4 July 1826) served as the second President and the flag shown on the photograph is the pattern flown since 1795 and t...

November 2

Who was the first Black letter carrier in Canada?

Born into slavery at Milford, Kent County, Delaware, USA during the late 1850s, Albert Calvin Whitley Jackson (2 November 1857 – 14 January 1918) be...

November 3

Which 19th century historical monument in France is the symbol of freedom and heroic resistance and took more than 130 years to have it officially inaugurated?

The Lion of Belfort has kept watch over the little town of Belfort, France since 1880. Made of pink sandstone from the Vosges mountains, it is 22 metr...

November 6

Who is recognized as the "Father of Basketball"?

Basketball is one of the most popular sports in the world. It is played daily by more than 300 million people and was invented by Dr. James Naismith (...

November 9

Where in Canada are pieces of the Berlin Wall?

Since the beginning of its construction on 13 August 1961 and until its 'fall' on 9 November 1989, the Berlin Wall had divided the German capital of B...

November 9

What Vietnam War battlefield rescue is memorialized depicting the only time when one Medal of Honor recipient was rescued by a person who would eventually be awarded a Medal of Honor for rescuing him?

Situated at the entrance of the National Navy UDT-SEAL Museum in Fort Pierce, Florida is a ten-foot statue entitled 'Swim Buddies'. As shown in t...

November 10

What monument is dedicated to "Canada's Team of the Century"?

Up until the 1960s, Canada's best amateur teams were known for their dominance and ability to win World Championships and Olympic medals but this was ...

November 11

What is a 'Cathedral Cross'?

The term 'Cathedral Cross' has been used when referring to a war memorial that has been erected by a religious institution, characteristically by a ca...