Remembrance Day

Remembrance Day is a day for all Canadians to remember the men and women who served and sacrificed for their country. Every year, at the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month, every individual, young and old, is encouraged to take a moment of silence, to give thanks and to remember the many who have fallen in the service of their country, and to acknowledge the courage of those who still serve. 

Although this year we cannot gather to honour and remember, the Library has assembled this page to connect us virtually. 

The following page presents

• Valentines for Vets
• Facts from Veterans Affairs Canada
• Photographs of Cameron Clare Hill fonds from Special Collections & Archives Digital Library Collection
• Canada’s Commemorative Map
• Do it yourself poppy flower
• Do it yourself origami peace crane 

Valentines for Vets

Each year, Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC) invites Canadian schools, individuals and organizations to make Valentines for Vets. VAC then distributes the valentines to Veterans across the country by February 14.

Show Veterans your gratitude for their sacrifices and achievements in serving our country. Write your Valentine wishes and select a Valentine image through the library form. 

For more on Valentines for Vets and tips on what to write in your message, visit the Veterans Affairs Canada site. 

 Remembrance Day quick facts from Veterans Affairs Canada

Remembrance Day was first observed in 1919 throughout the British Commonwealth. It was originally called “Armistice Day” to commemorate the armistice agreement that ended the First World War on Monday, November 11, 1918, at 11 a.m. — on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month.

From 1921 to 1930, Armistice Day was held on the Monday of the week in which November 11 fell. In 1931, Alan Neill, Member of Parliament for Comox–Alberni, introduced a bill to observe Armistice Day only on November 11. Passed by the House of Commons, the bill also changed the name to “Remembrance Day”. The first Remembrance Day was observed on November 11, 1931.

The United States used to commemorate Armistice Day on November 11. However, in 1954 they changed the name to Veterans Day.

For more quick facts, refer to Veterans Affairs Canada Quick Facts website 

Cameron Clare Hill fonds 

The following photographs are materials accumulated by Cameron Hill and his family during the Second World War and in the years following. The Cameron Clare Hill fond collection includes records related to Cameron’s military training, uniform and personal gear, and service overseas. The collection also contains records related to Cameron’s time held in custody as a prisoner of war as well as his liberation and repatriation home to Canada and his life in later years. For more, refer to the Cameron Clare Hill fonds collection at the Special Collections & Archives Digital Library Collections

Canada's Commemorative Map                         

This story map was created with the Story Map Journal application in ArcGIS Online. According to the overview on ArcGIS Hub, this interactive map commemorates Canada's participation in armed conflicts at home and abroad by highlighting a sample of the many geographical features and places named for those that served our country. For more on the intent behind this map, refer to ArcGIS Hub, Canada's Commemorative Map website.

The use of GIS and map making is endless! This map can be also found on the Government of Canada website. 

For more on how you could use GIS for your own research, refer to the Library's website.

Do it yourself poppy flowers 

Make your own poppy flowers! You may not have gotten the chance to go outside and get your poppy this year, but you can still take some time to remember by making these flowers.

What you will need:

• Egg carton
• Scissors
• Paint: red, yellow and black
• Paint brush
• Water

1. Cut out your poppy!

With a pair of scissors, cut out the egg holder from the egg carton

2. Paint your poppy

With a paint brush and red paint, cover the carton in red. Make sure to wet your paint brush for better application. Leave the red paint dry. Next, with yellow paint, make a little circle in the middle of the flower. Finally, surround the yellow circle with a black outline.

3. Place your poppy anywhere!

Find a place around you for your poppy. Let it remind you to take a minute in silence.

Do it yourself origami peace cranes

According to Veterans Affairs Canada, every year thousands of people around the world fold paper cranes as an expression of hope for a world at peace. They promote a world where people can live without fear.

Make your own origami peace cranes with the help of the Folding Origami Peace Cranes (PDF) or refer back to the Veterans Affairs Canada website.