Thorold in Niagara Region, Ontario — Central Canada (North America)

National Peacekeepers’ Day

Photographed by Tim Boyd, November 7, 2024

1. National Peacekeepers Day Marker

Inscription.
An Act Respecting a National Peacekeepers’ Day
Bill C-289 SC 2008, c,27-2008-06-18

WHEREAS in 1956 the Minister of External Affairs, the Right Honourable Lester B. Pearson, proposed the first United Nations peacekeeping mission and, since that time, Canada has been a leader in keeping the peace around the world, with more than one thousand members of the Canadian Forces participating in peacekeeping and peace support operations along with many members of Canadian Police services, diplomats and civilians;

WHEREAS one hundred and sixty four Canadian Forces peacekeepers have lost their lives while keeping the peace around the world in over sixty-six missions;

AND WHEREAS on August 9, 1974, nine Canadian peacekeepers were killed when their plane was shot down by a surface-to-air missile while en route from Beirut to Damascus; NOW, THEREFORE, Her Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate and the House of Commons of Canada, enacts as follows: Throughout Canada, In each and every year, the 9th day of August shall be known as:

"NATIONAL PEACEKEEPERS DAY"

Honours & Awards:
1957 - Nobel Peace

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Prize - Right Honourable Lester B. Pearson
1988 - Nobel Peace Prize - All Canadian Peacekeepers
1996 - Canadian Peacekeepers National Monument - "Reconciliation", Ottawa
1998 - Canadian Peacekeeping Service Medal

Erected by the Canadian Association of Veterans in United Nations Peacekeeping (CAVUNP) Niagara Chapter
Supported by
The City of Thorold, Canadian Corps Unit 44, Royal Canadian Legion Br 17, local commercial & private sponsors

Erected by The Canadian Association of Veterans in United Nations Peacekeeping.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Peace. A significant historical year for this entry is 1956.

Location. 43° 7.479′ N, 79° 11.767′ W. Marker is in Thorold, Ontario, in Niagara Region. It is on Albert Street East 0.1 kilometers west of Chapel Street South, on the right when traveling east. The marker is in Memorial Park, by the Thorold War Memorial. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 54 Albert St E, Thorold ON L2V 1P1, Canada. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is on Ontario’s Golden Horseshoe

and in Niagara Canada.

It is also in Central

Photographed by Tim Boyd, November 7, 2024

2. National Peacekeepers’ Day Marker

Canada.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once a British colony,

the Viceroyalty of New France,

the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy,

and Rupert’s Land.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: City Of Thorold War Memorial 1921 (here, next to this marker); SS Thorold #146589 (a few steps from this marker); Canada’s Wartime Merchant Navy (a few steps from this marker); Squire Black House (within shouting distance of this marker); Squire Home Residence - 48 Albert Street East (within shouting distance of this marker); Moore-Lampman House C. 1853 (about 90 meters away, measured in a direct line); L.G. Lorriman School (about 120 meters away); St. John The Evangelist (about 150 meters away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Thorold.

Also see . . . Canada and international peacekeeping (Veterans’ Affairs Canada).

Canada played a key role in creating the concept of UN peacekeeping. Canadian Secretary of State for External Affairs Lester B. Pearson

3. The Rt. Hon. Lester B. Pearson, 14th Prime Minister of Canada
Noble Peace Laureate, 1957, for his work in creating the United Nations Peacekeepers Library of Parliament (public domain)
was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his leadership in helping establish the United Nations Emergency Force in Egypt during the Suez Crisis of 1956. Canada also took part in this large-scale mission that helped prevent a wider war.

(Submitted on November 13, 2024, by Tim Boyd of Hamilton, Ontario.)

Memorial Park, Thorold image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Tim Boyd, November 7, 2024

4. Memorial Park, Thorold

Credits. This page was last revised on September 29, 2025. It was originally submitted on November 12, 2024, by Tim Boyd of Hamilton, Ontario. This page has been viewed 125 times since then and 14 times this year. Last updated on September 15, 2025, by Kevin Westell of St. Catharines, Ontario. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on November 12, 2024, by Tim Boyd of Hamilton, Ontario. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.