1917When did Vimy Ridge become a National Historic Site of Canada?
Vimy Ridge, located fourteen kilometres north of Arras in northern France, became a National Historic Site of Canada in 1996. This designation honors Canada’s significant accomplishment, sacrifice, and contribution during the First World War, particularly at the site of the pivotal 1917 Battle of Vimy Ridge. The 117-hectare memorial park—granted to Canada by France in 1922—features the iconic monument by sculptor Walter S. Allward and preserves original battlefield trenches, where even today, sheep graze the dangerous ground littered with unexploded munitions. As we mark the 108th anniversary of the battle in 2025, Vimy Ridge stands as a lasting symbol of remembrance for over 11,000 missing Canadian soldiers with no known grave.
