Home- Canadian Tribute to Human Rights
- Terry Fox Statue
- The Response: National War Memorial
- Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
- Reconciliation: The Peacekeeping Monument
- Ottawa Memorial (Commonwealth Air Force Memorial)
- Champlain Statue
- Anishinabe Scout
- Never Again War: Monument to Peace and Remembrance
- Colonel By Statue
- National Aboriginal Veterans Monument
- Never Give Up! (Maurice Richard)
- Reflection: Monument to Canadian Aid Workers
This large memorial arch is a tribute to all Canadians who have served Canada in war. The National War Memorial stands majestically in Confederation Square in the heart of downtown Ottawa.
The Memorial is 21 metres high and is made of a granite arch featuring bronze figures representing Peace and Freedom. Advancing through the archway are 22 bronze figures, representing the "Great Response" of hundreds of thousands of Canadians who answered the call to serve during the First World War. The National War Memorial was unveiled by His Majesty King George VI in May 1939.
Over the years, the Memorial has come to symbolize the sacrifice of all Canadians who have served Canada in times of war in the cause of peace and freedom. For that reason, the Memorial was rededicated in May 1982, with the addition of the dates 1939–1945 to represent the Second World War, and 1950–1953 to represent the Korean War.
A nationally televised Remembrance Day ceremony is held at the Memorial each November 11, and other commemorative ceremonies are held here throughout the year to honour the many Canadian men and women who have given their lives for this country.
The structure was designed by Vernon March of England, whose design was chosen in a world-wide competition in 1925. The idea, March wrote, was “to perpetuate in this bronze group the people of Canada who went Overseas to the Great War, and to represent them, as we of today saw them, as a record for future generations…” There was to be no suggestion of glorifying war. Vernon March was to be assisted by his six brothers and his sister who completed the work after his untimely death in 1930.
On May 28, 2000, in a solemn ceremony, the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier was unveiled to remind all Canadians of the human cost of our country's commitment to the cause of peace and freedom in the past, in the present and in the future.
Artist and Fabrication Date
Vernon March, 1926-1932
Owner: Public Works and Government Services Canada
Location
Confederation Square, corner of Elgin and Wellington Streets, Ottawa
Directions
Facing Parliament Hill, turn right on Wellington Street. The Memorial is located on the right, in Confederation Square, at the corner of Elgin Street, on Confederation Boulevard.
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