There are numerous historical monuments in Canada, as this is a large and diverse nation. Diversity is evident not just via ethnicity, but also in political thought and regional cultures. There are several grand monuments commemorating national and international events, conflicts and hopes. However, small local monuments shouldn't be neglected by the sightseer hoping to gain insight into Canada's rich history and culture, as these monuments often provide a glimpse into what a particular locality deems to be important about their past, present and future.
Originally designed as a commemoration of the Canadian response--hence, the alternative name of "The Response"--to World War I, the National War Monument has had the dates of other wars added to recognize the Canadian sacrifices in all of the major military conflicts that the nation has participated in. The philosophical foundation of the design of this monument is quite reflective of the Canadian perspective on war. Vernon March, in his 1926 design, wanted to honor the Canadian response and sacrifice without glorifying war itself. Depicting a total of 26 bronze figures representing various types of military personnel and supporting personnel, such as nurses, walking through an arch, from war to peace, the monument was officially dedicated in 1939. Its details are remarkable, including examples of the advances in weaponry of that era, such as the Vickers machine gun. The convenient downtown Ottawa location of this monument makes this an easy sightseeing destination.
The National War Monument
Confederation Square
Elgin and Wellington Streets
Ottawa ON Canada K1P 1C7
Located at the Grand-Pré National Historic Site, this statue was created in honor of the Acadian settlement that was there from 1682 to 1755, when the Acadian people were forcibly dispersed. Inspired, in part, by the popularizing of the Acadian plight by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow through his poem "Evangeline," which told the story of the mass deportment, the statue was put in place in 1920. Designed and sculpted by Philippe Hébert and bought to completion by his son Henri, the Evangeline statue weighs about two tons and is done in bronze. The statue is positioned so that Evangeline appears to be looking toward the Minas Basin, where the Acadian people got on the ships that would scatter the once close-knit community.
Statue of Evangeline
Grand-Pré National Historic Site of Canada
2205 Grand-Pré Road
Nova Scotia, Canada, B0P 1M0
866-452-3631
grand-pre.com
The Peace Hills Cairn was unveiled in 1927, in a ceremony attended by Chief Panee Erminskin and Chief Joe Samson. The cairn was created as a commemoration of the peace that had been negotiated with the Cree Indians, with the name of the monument coming from the English translation of the Cree Indian word Wetaskiwin. Relocated from its original spot, which was near the intersection of Highway 2A and 13, the cairn has been carefully restored, remaining completely original, except for its location.
Peace Hills Cairn
Highway 2A and Centennial Drive
Wetaskiwin, Alberta, Canada T9A 2J7
