winnipeg

1. 1897
   • Jan 23

     Who 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.

2. 1941
   • Dec 19

     Who 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.

3. 1985
   • Aug 6

     Who 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.

January

23

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.

August

6

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.

December

19

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.