queenston

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.

1812Which figure is honoured with the first military memorial for the Province of Upper Canada?

Major-General Sir Isaac Brock, known as "The Hero of Upper Canada," is honoured with the province's first military memorial at Queenston Heights, where he fell defending Upper Canada during the War of 1812. His leadership and sacrifice inspired widespread admiration, leading the Legislature to commission a lasting public tribute near the site of his death. The original monument, completed in 1824, was tragically destroyed by an explosion in 1840, but a new memorial was dedicated in 1857, and Brock’s remains were solemnly reinterred there on 13 October 1853. Today, the monument stands not only as a tribute to Brock’s bravery but also as a remarkable piece of Canadian history, marking 214 years since his heroic death.