National Peacekeepers' Day (French: Journée Nationale des Casques Bleus) 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 alternately may be 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]
While British Columbia Order in Council 856 first set August 9 as Peacekeepers memorial day on June 30, 1993, Federal legislation to make the day an official national day in Canada was passed in June 2008.[5]
See also edit
References edit
- ^ Statement on Stephen Harper's Official website as Prime Minister
- ^ Royal Canadian Mounted Police
- ^ Veterans Affairs Canada
- ^ Leung T Peacekeepers' Day salutes soldiers' ultimate sacrifice, Calgary Herald, 11 August 2008
- ^ Fitzpatrick A Campaign to bring more attention to peacekeeping veterans, The Western Star, 8 August 2008
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