1775Who is the first woman to be recognized with a memorial erected by the Government of Canada?
Laura Ingersoll Secord, known as Canada's "heroine of Beaver Dams," was the first woman to be formally recognized with a memorial erected by the Government of Canada in Queenston, Ontario. Her courageous 20-kilometre journey on June 22, 1813, through American-occupied territory to warn British forces changed the course of the War of 1812. The government contributed $2,000 for her memorial, a twelve-foot-high granite monument, and later honored her legacy with a special stamp marking the 200th anniversary of her daring action. Today, as we celebrate the 251st anniversary of her birth, Laura Secord's remarkable story continues to inspire Canadians nationwide.