National Peacekeepers' Day

National Peacekeepers' Day is an official remembrance day for Canadian veterans of military peacekeeping activities.[1] It is officially marked on 9 August of each year[2] and observed on the closest Sunday.[3]

The date was chosen to commemorate 9 August 1974, when nine Canadian peacekeepers serving on UNEF II were killed when their aircraft was shot down over Syria, the highest number of Canadian peacekeepers killed in a single incident.[4]

Legislation to make the day an official national day in Canada was passed in June 2008.[5]

See also

References

  1. ^ Statement on Stephen Harper's Official website as Prime Minister
  2. ^ Royal Canadian Mounted Police
  3. ^ Veterans Affairs Canada
  4. ^ Leung T Peacekeepers' Day salutes soldiers' ultimate sacrifice, Calgary Herald, 11 August 2008
  5. ^ Fitzpatrick A Campaign to bring more attention to peacekeeping veterans, The Western Star, 8 August 2008
Canadian participation in United Nations Peacekeeping
Participation
Commemoration
National Peacekeepers' Day, Peacekeeping Monument, Peacekeeper Park
Related topics