newfoundland

2 articles

Aug9

1974When do Canadians commemorate Peacekeepers' Day?

Canadians commemorate Peacekeepers' Day on August 9th, reflecting on the contributions and sacrifices of their armed forces in international peacekeeping missions. This date holds special significance, marking the tragic loss of nine Canadians aboard a Buffalo aircraft shot down over Syria in 1974—the deadliest day in the nation’s peacekeeping history. British Columbia first recognized the day in 1993, and it became a national day of remembrance in 2008, with memorials such as the statue in St. John's, Newfoundland, honoring those who have served since 1947. The statue, depicting a peacekeeper releasing a dove, serves as a powerful symbol of hope and peace for future generations.

Aug4

1914What were the casualties of the Great War?

The Great War, declared on 4 August 1914, drew Canada, Newfoundland, and the entire British Empire into a global conflict that would leave a staggering toll. Over four years, the war resulted in more than 37 million casualties and forever scarred communities, including the loss of over 68,000 Canadians. At the Swanley War Memorial in Kent, England—unveiled in March 1922—Staff Paymaster Joseph T. Gedge is remembered as the first British officer to fall, after his ship was sunk by a mine just two days into the war, an incident that also claimed 149 lives. As we observe the 111th anniversary of Britain’s declaration of war on 4 August 2025, the legacy of those who served and sacrificed endures in memorials like Swanley.