National War Memorial (Canada)
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| National War Memorial | |
|---|---|
| Canada | |
 |
|
| For Canadian dead of all wars | |
| Unveiled | 21 May 1939 |
| Location | near Ottawa, Canada |
| Designer | Vernon March |
The National War Memorial (cenotaph), also known as The Response, is a tall granite arch with bronze sculptures in Confederation Square, Ottawa, that serves as the federal war memorial for Canada.[1]
Originally built to commemorate World War I, in 1982 the memorial was also enscribed with the dates 1939-1945, for World War II, and 1950-1953, for the Korean War.[1] Further, it also now symbolises those Canadians who have died in other wars and on peacekeeping duties.[2] In 2000, the Canadian Tomb of the Unknown Soldier was added to the memorial site.
Contents |
[edit] History
[edit] Competition
A competition was held in 1925 to seek designs for a national war memorial dedicated to World War I. Entrants were limited to residents of the British Empire, were British subjects, or were citizens of Allied nations. The competition received 127 entries, of which seven were asked to provide scale models for judging.[3]
The winner, announced in January 1926, was Vernon March, from Farnborough, in Kent, the United Kingdom. His theme was to represent the response of Canada to war, symbolised by service people from all disciplines marching through a triumphal arch. There was a deliberate aim to avoid the glorification of war.[3]
[edit] Construction
Work began in 1926 under the auspices of Public Works and Government Services Canada. March was assisted by his six brothers and a sister, who completed the work after his death in 1930.[4]
The bronze sculptures were completed in July, 1932, and after a period on display in Hyde Park, London, and in storage in the foundry, they were relocated to Ottawa in 1937.[3]
The contract for the construction of the arch was awarded in December, 1937, and the entire memorial was completed on October 19, 1938. The area surrounding the memorial was then landscaped.[3]
The memorial was officially unveiled by George VI, King of Canada, on May 21, 1939.[3] This event and the tour arranged with it marked the first time Canada's reigning monarch had visited the country.[1]
[edit] Scandal
A national scandal arose on Canada Day, 2006, when a group of young men were photographed urinating on the memorial at night, after celebrating the national holiday.[5] Two teenagers later issued apologies and undertook to do community service, while Stephen Fernandes, 23, was charged with "mischief,"[6] but later claimed to have no memory of the incident.[7]
[edit] Modern usage
The National War Memorial is the site of the nationally televised Remembrance Day ceremony every year on November 11. Along with Canadian war veterans, the ceremony is attended by the Governor General, the Prime Minister, and other important members of the government and other groups and organizations. The ceremony includes the placing of wreaths by representatives of various groups, such as veterans, the House of Commons, and the youth of Canada. Whenever the Monarch or another member of the Canadian Royal Family is in Ottawa, they will lay a wreath at the monument.
[edit] See also
- National War Memorial (Newfoundland)
- War Memorial Saint Julien, near Ypres
- Vimy Memorial
- Monarchy in Ontario
[edit] References
- ^ a b c ottawakiosk.com. Retrieved on September 11, 2006.
- ^ archiseek. Retrieved on September 11, 2006.
- ^ a b c d e Veterans Affairs Canada. Retrieved on September 11, 2006.
- ^ National Capital Commission. Retrieved on September 11, 2006.
- ^ Shannon Proudfoot (2006-07-03). Ottawa Citizen: "A National Disgrace". Retrieved on September 11, 2006.
- ^ CBC News: "Teen offers 'heartfelt' apology for urinating on National War Memorial" (2006-07-07). Retrieved on September 11, 2006.
- ^ CTV News: "Accused has 'no memory' of night at War Memorial" (2006-07-07). Retrieved on September 11, 2006.
[edit] External links
