04/09/2026
𝐕𝐢𝐦𝐲 𝐑𝐢𝐝𝐠𝐞 𝐃𝐚𝐲
In 2003, the Government of Canada declared 9 April to be "Vimy Ridge Day", to honour and remember the Battle of Vimy Ridge which took place during the First World War at Vimy Ridge, France, in 1917. The initiative to create the day of commemoration was spearheaded by Robert Manuel, a Korean War veteran. The annual non-statutory observance was created through passage of Bill C-227, introduced by Brent St. Denis, the Member of Parliament for Algoma-Manitoulin. By law, it is required that the Canadian flag on the Peace Tower of Parliament Hill in Ottawa be lowered to half-mast. Small ceremonies, including the laying of wreaths, also normally take place at the Canadian National War Memorial in Ottawa, the Canadian National Vimy Memorial in France and other areas across Canada.
Below is a picture of the 'Ghosts of Vimy Ridge' by William Longstaff. Painted in 1931 it depicts ghosts of the Canadian Corps on Vimy Ridge surrounding the Canadian National Vimy Memorial. The 106" wide oil on canvas painting is part of the
House of Commons Heritage Collection in Ottawa.
