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3 articles

Sep11

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

On September 11, 2001, 26 Canadians were among those who lost their lives during the devastating terrorist attacks in the United States. This tragedy resonated deeply across Canada, as citizens gathered to mourn and honor the victims alongside their American neighbors. One of the earliest Canadian memorials was the red oak tree planted in Brantford, Ontario, just three days after the attacks, symbolizing solidarity and remembrance. Today, the memorial stone flanking Canada's National Military Cemetery in Ottawa stands as a lasting tribute, inscribed with the names and birth years of each Canadian who perished on that fateful day.

Feb21

1919Who is the only woman to be awarded the U.S. Medal of Honor?

Dr. Mary Edwards Walker of Oswego, New York, remains the only woman ever awarded the U.S. Medal of Honor. As a pioneering Civil War surgeon and women's rights advocate, Walker volunteered her medical expertise on the battlefield when women were barred from official military commissions. Captured as a suspected spy in 1864 and enduring four months in a Confederate prison, she was honored by President Andrew Johnson with the Medal of Honor in 1865—only to have it rescinded in 1917 and later reinstated in 1977. Walker's legacy endures not only through her medal, now displayed at the Richardson-Bates House Museum, but also in the ongoing recognition of her extraordinary commitment to both her country and to gender equality.

Mar10

1876What was the first monument in honour of a woman accomplished by a woman?

The first monument in honor of a woman accomplished by a woman is the striking equestrian statue of Joan of Arc, created by American sculptor Anna Vaughn Hyatt and unveiled in New York City’s Riverside Park in 1915. This groundbreaking achievement marked a turning point in memorial art by celebrating a specific, identifiable woman, rather than a symbolic or collective female figure. Hyatt’s dedication to historical authenticity is evident in unique features like stones from Joan’s prison in Rouen and a fragment from the Cathedral of Notre-Dame of Reims embedded in the statue’s base. As we recognize the 150th anniversary of Hyatt’s birth in 2026, her enduring legacy continues through replicas in cities from San Francisco to Québec and through her pivotal role in American sculpture.