Remembrance Day in Canada: Honouring the Past, Embracing Peace
Have you ever wondered what drives someone to leave their home, their family, and their dreams to fight for an entire country? Remembrance Day, observed in Canada on November 11, is a time to remember and thank all those who made that choice. It is a tribute to the men and women who served in the Canadian Armed Forces and to those who gave their lives in defence of freedom, marking the end of the First World War and the beginning of a new chapter in human history.
The First World War, fought between 1914 and 1918, arose from political, economic, and territorial disputes among European empires. The trigger was the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand, heir to the Austro-Hungarian Empire, which plunged the world into a devastating conflict. Canada, then part of the British Empire, joined the Allied forces against the Central Powers, which included Germany, Austria-Hungary, the Ottoman Empire, and Bulgaria. More than 650,000 Canadians and Newfoundlanders served, about 66,000 lost their lives, and 172,000 were wounded.
The Treaty of Versailles, signed in 1919, imposed harsh penalties on Germany, redrew borders, and sought to secure lasting peace. However, the tensions it left behind contributed to the outbreak of the Second World War, from 1939 to 1945. In this new conflict, Canada fought as an independent nation after Germany’s invasion of Poland. The country joined the United Kingdom, France, Russia, and the United States to stop Adolf Hitler’s expansion. More than one million Canadians served with courage, helping to liberate Europe and restore democracy.
More than a century later, Remembrance Day continues to move and inspire. In a world still marked by wars and injustices, this date reminds us of the courage of those who fought and the duty of every generation to defend peace. May the example of the veterans echo as a call for empathy, unity, and respect for life.
etc&tal Magazine pays tribute to all the heroes who served Canada and reaffirms its commitment to remembrance, gratitude, and peace.