nursing

12 articles

Sep16

2017What national monument is dedicated to the memory of those Canadians who served during the American Civil War?

The National Memorial in memory of Canadians who served during the American Civil War is located in Long Sault, Ontario. Unveiled on September 16, 2017, this unique monument recognizes the contributions of more than 40,000 Canadians who volunteered for both the Union and Confederate forces—an astonishing two percent of Canada's population at the time. The memorial’s three-metre black granite obelisk, along with commemorative walls and benches, stands as the only monument in Canada solely dedicated to these volunteers and their complex legacy. As of September 2025, it marks its 8th anniversary, honoring the individuals whose names and stories might otherwise remain hidden in history.

Aug15

2009What is the only known memorial that includes the specific name of an animal alongside names of the fallen and those who have served in a battle?

On the banks of the Rideau River in Ottawa, Ontario, stands the Defence of Hong Kong memorial wall—an enduring tribute to the Canadians who fought in the Battle of Hong Kong during the Second World War. Unique among war memorials worldwide, it lists not only the names of all fallen and surviving members of 'C' Force, but also that of their beloved Newfoundland dog, Gander, who served bravely alongside them as their mascot. Gander's name appears in granite at the insistence of surviving veterans, commemorating his heroism during the fierce 18-day battle in December 1941. His actions were so extraordinary that he became the first animal in 50 years to receive the Dickin Medal, often called the animals' Victoria Cross.

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in a Confederate prison, she was honored by President Andrew Johnson with the Medal of Honor in 1865—only to have it rescinded in 1917 and later reinstated in 1977.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.

Dec6

1917What was the largest man-made explosion prior to the Atomic Bomb being unleashed on Hiroshima?

On the morning of December 6, 1917, Halifax, Nova Scotia, became the site of the largest man-made explosion before the atomic bombing of Hiroshima. A collision in the harbour between the French munitions ship S.S. Mont-Blanc and the Belgian relief vessel S.S. Imo led to a blast that killed over a thousand people instantly and injured thousands more, with devastation spanning both Halifax and its twin city, Dartmouth. The explosion’s force, equivalent to 2,600 tonnes of TNT, blew part of Mont-Blanc’s anchor shaft more than 2.35 miles and was heard as far away as Prince Edward Island, 200 miles distant. Halifax’s rebuilt Hydrostone neighborhood and the annual 50-foot Christmas tree sent to Boston stand today as powerful reminders of this tragedy and the resilience of its survivors.

Jul4

1916What is Mount Edith Cavell?

Mount Edith Cavell is a striking 3,363-metre peak in the Athabasca and Astoria River valleys of Jasper National Park, Alberta, named in honour of the English nurse and First World War heroine Edith Cavell. Cavell was executed by German forces in October 1915 for her role in aiding over 200 Allied soldiers to escape from occupied Belgium, an act that made her an enduring symbol of courage and humanitarianism. Remarkably, Canada was among the first to memorialize her internationally, designating the mountain with her name on 4 July 1916, less than a year after her death. Today, 108 years later, Mount Edith Cavell stands as both a natural wonder and a poignant tribute, as Canada prepares for the 110th anniversary of her sacrifice.

Dec8

1915What inspired the most beloved and famous of all war poems?

At a front line dressing station near Ypres, Belgium, Canadian Army doctor Major John McCrae penned the enduring war poem "In Flanders Fields" on 3 May 1915. Written in the immediate aftermath of the Second Battle of Ypres, as deadly chlorine gas and relentless artillery claimed thousands of lives, the poem gave voice to the grief and resilience felt by soldiers and medics alike. Inspired by the death of his friend Lieutenant Alexis Helmer and the sight of wild poppies blooming among war graves, McCrae composed the fifteen lines in just twenty minutes while perched on an ambulance tailgate. Although nearly discarded by its creator, "In Flanders Fields" quickly became a powerful symbol of remembrance for generations to come, immortalizing both the sacrifices of war and the enduring image of the poppy.

May3

1915What is "In Flanders Fields"?

In Flanders Fields" is the world-renowned war memorial poem written by Lieutenant-Colonel John McCrae while serving with the Canadian Army Medical Corps in Belgium. Composed on May 3, 1915, amid the devastation of the Second Battle of Ypres, the poem has become a symbol of remembrance for soldiers who died in conflict. A commemorative panel in Georgetown, Prince Edward Island, features the full text of McCrae’s poem, connecting this small Canadian community to the global legacy of remembrance.

Apr10

1915Who was the first Canadian woman to be decorated for gallantry during the Second World War and was the first living Canadian to have a ship named after her?

Lieutenant Commander Margaret Martha Brooke, born in Ardath, Saskatchewan, became the first Canadian woman to be decorated for gallantry during the Second World War. Her courageous attempt to save a fellow Nursing Sister after the sinking of the SS Caribou off the coast of Newfoundland in 1942 earned her the title of Member of the Order of the British Empire. In a historic tribute, HMCS Margaret Brooke was launched in 2019, making her the first living Canadian to have a naval ship named in her honour. Brooke’s legacy combines both extraordinary wartime heroism and remarkable academic achievement, as she also received a Ph.D. in biostratigraphy following her naval service.

Jun12

1908What 19th century site in Prince Edward Island inspired Canadian author Lucy Maud Montgomery to write the popular 'Anne of Green Gables' novel?

Green Gables farm in Cavendish, Prince Edward Island, is the real-life inspiration behind Canadian author Lucy Maud Montgomery's iconic novel, 'Anne of Green Gables.' Montgomery’s fond childhood visits to the farm and its enchanting woodlands shaped the world that Anne Shirley would inhabit, making this site a literary landmark. Since its publication on June 12, 1908, the novel has sold approximately 50 million copies and has profoundly influenced cultures as far away as Japan, where 'Anne' remains a beloved figure. Today, visitors from around the world flock to the immaculately preserved Green Gables House, still featuring Anne's famous dress laid out on her bed, to experience the charm that captivated Montgomery and her readers.

Jul10

1879Who had the distinction of being the first woman to set up a medical practice in the province of Prince Edward Island?

Dr. Elizabeth Margaret MacKenzie, buried at St. John's Presbyterian Church Cemetery in Belfast, Prince Edward Island, holds the distinction of being the first woman to establish a medical practice in the province. Her pioneering achievement in 1904 broke barriers in a conservative society that was unprepared to accept women physicians, leading her to eventually serve as a nurse and military nursing sister during the First World War in England and France. A rare headstone bearing the post-nominals M.D., C.M.-R.N. marks her remarkable and multifaceted medical career, which spanned Canada, the United States, and Europe. As we mark the 146th anniversary of her birth on July 10, 2025, Dr. MacKenzie's legacy endures as a testament to perseverance and service.

Jan1

1862Who was named the first matron of the Canadian Army Medical Corps and was also Canada's first recipient of the Royal Red Cross?

Georgina Fane Pope, born in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, became the first matron of the Canadian Army Medical Corps and the first Canadian to receive the prestigious Royal Red Cross. Renowned as "Canada’s Florence Nightingale," she led military nurses in the South African War and later played a pivotal role in training over 3,100 nurses for service during the First World War. In 1903, Pope’s exceptional bravery and leadership were recognized as she became the first Canadian decorated with the Royal Red Cross, established by Queen Victoria. Her enduring legacy is celebrated in monuments, museum exhibits, and even a commemorative coin marking her 150th birthday.

Dec25

1821Who was nicknamed the "Angel of the Battlefield" during the American Civil War and founded the American Red Cross in 1881?

Clara Harlowe Barton, known as the "Angel of the Battlefield," was a pioneering nurse, educator, and humanitarian from Oxford, Massachusetts, who played a crucial role during the American Civil War. Risking her own safety, Barton provided frontline care and supplies to wounded soldiers at major battles, later founding the American Red Cross in 1881 despite initial resistance from government officials. On September 17, 1862, at the Battle of Antietam, she delivered vital aid, an act commemorated by a granite monument at the battlefield, which features a red cross crafted from a brick of her childhood home. Today, more than 145 years after the founding of the American Red Cross, her legacy continues through the ongoing work she inspired and the memorials that honor her enduring impact.