Introduction

National Peacekeepers’ Day (French: Journée Nationale des Casques Bleus) is an official remembrance day for Canadian veterans of military peacekeeping activities.

Background

It is officially marked on 9 August of each year and alternatively may be observed on the closest Sunday.

The date was chosen to commemorate 09 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.

While British Columbia Order in Council 856 first set 09 August as Peacekeepers memorial day on 30 June 1993, Federal legislation to make the day an official national day in Canada was passed in June 2008.