manitoba

5 articles

Nov9

1989Where in Canada are pieces of the Berlin Wall?

Pieces of the historic Berlin Wall, which once separated East and West Berlin from 1961 until its fall in 1989, can be found at six locations across Canada, serving as powerful reminders of the country’s divided past and the widespread desire for freedom. These concrete segments, distributed to institutions and cities worldwide after the Wall’s dramatic demolition in 1989-1991, now stand as memorials at places like the Canadian War Museum in Ottawa, Montréal's Centre de Commerce Mondial, and Nova Scotia’s Lunenburg foundry. One particularly notable section arrived in Lunenburg thanks to the efforts of Lieutenant Governor J. James Kinley, who secured the artifact as a testament to the town’s German heritage after its UNESCO World Heritage designation in 1995. Today, more than 240 fragments of the Wall endure in over 140 countries, providing tangible links to a defining moment in 20th-century history.

Aug6

1985Who are the Victims of Wars?

The "Victims of Wars" memorial, located on the Legislative Grounds in Winnipeg, Manitoba, honors both military personnel and civilians whose lives have been disrupted by conflict. Established to recognize the widespread and often overlooked suffering caused by wars, the site includes a grove and a commemorative boulder. Dedicated by the People of Manitoba on August 6, 1985, this memorial stands as a poignant reminder that the trauma of war reaches far beyond the battlefield, especially affecting children and the displaced. As we mark its 40th anniversary in 2025, the memorial continues to inspire reflection on the pursuit of peace.

Dec19

1941Who was the first Canadian soldier to have earned the Victoria Cross during the Second World War?

Company Sergeant-Major John Osborn of the Winnipeg Grenadiers became the first Canadian soldier awarded the Victoria Cross during the Second World War for his extraordinary bravery in Hong Kong on 19 December 1941. Facing overwhelming odds, Osborn led a bayonet charge to capture and hold a key hill, ultimately sacrificing his own life by throwing himself on a grenade to save his comrades. His heroism was not fully recognized until after the war, and in 1946 he received the Victoria Cross posthumously. On 19 December 1991, a memorial was dedicated to Osborn at Deer Lodge Centre in Winnipeg, ensuring his legacy lives on 84 years after his courageous actions.

Oct25

1915Who is considered one of Canada's most decorated Indigenous war veterans who served during the Second World War and the Korean War?

Sergeant Thomas George Prince, M.M., born in Petersfield, Manitoba, is widely recognized as one of Canada’s most decorated Indigenous war veterans, having served with distinction during both the Second World War and the Korean War. A descendent of Chief Peguis of the Saulteaux, Prince earned international acclaim for his daring actions as part of the elite First Special Service Force, famously earning both the Military Medal and the U.S. Silver Star for bravery. In one mission near L’Escarène, France, Prince trekked 70 kilometres over rugged terrain without food or sleep for 72 hours to deliver vital intelligence, leading to the capture of more than 1,000 enemy soldiers. As we mark the 110th anniversary of his birth in 2025, Prince’s legacy endures, celebrated in numerous memorials and especially at the Sergeant Tommy Prince School in his hometown of Scanterbury.

Jan23

1897Who is the Canadian-born master spy to whom Winston Churchill gave the code name 'INTREPID'?

Sir William Samuel Stephenson, born in Winnipeg, Canada, became one of the most influential spymasters of the 20th century and was given the codename 'INTREPID' by Winston Churchill himself. Renowned for his vital role in British intelligence during World War II, Stephenson covertly ran the British Security Coordination in New York, shaping crucial alliances between the U.S. and Britain. A decorated war hero, inventor, and industrialist, he survived being shot down and held as a prisoner of war in 1918, later earning accolades like the Military Cross and the U.S. Presidential Medal for Merit. His legacy lives on through memorials, scholarships, and even a street bearing his name in his hometown, Winnipeg.