Shrine Peace Memorial facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Shrine Peace Memorial |
|
|---|---|
| Memorial | |
.jpg) Shrine Peace Memorial |
|
| Design: | Charles Keck |
| Owner: | City of Toronto |
| Location: | Exhibition Place Toronto, Ontario, Canada |
|
Location of Memorial in Toronto |
|
The Shrine Peace Memorial is a special statue located at Exhibition Place in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. It was given to Canada on June 12, 1930. The gift came from a group called the Shriners. They are also known as the Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. The memorial stands for peace and friendship between the United States and Canada. It also reminds everyone that a group called Freemasonry wants peace and good things for all people. This spot is believed to be where American soldiers landed during the War of 1812. This was for a battle known as the Battle of York.
What Does the Memorial Look Like?
The monument shows a beautiful angel with wings. This angel holds up a crown made of olive branches. Olive branches are a symbol of peace. The angel stands on a large globe. This globe is held up by two female sphinxes. A sphinx is a mythical creature.
The famous sculptor Charles Keck created this statue. He was a member of the Kismet Temple in Brooklyn, New York. A bench goes around the statue. On the bench, you can read the words "PEACE BE ON YOU". The answer "ON YOU BE THE PEACE" is also written there. Together, these words are the motto of the Shriners. A round fountain surrounds the statue and the bench. The memorial is just south of the Bandshell. It is the main part of a lovely rose garden.
A Symbol of Peace and Friendship
The monument was first shown to the public on June 12, 1930. This was a big event. It happened on the last day of a Shriners' meeting in Toronto. Leo V. Youngworth, a leader of the Shriners of North America, officially dedicated it.
Important people spoke at the ceremony. The United States Secretary of State, Henry L. Stimson, spoke by radio from Washington. The Canadian Prime Minister, William Lyon Mackenzie King, also spoke by radio from Ottawa. The Mayor of Toronto, Bert Sterling Wemp, accepted the statue. He called it a "sacred trust." This means it was a very important gift to protect.
Gardens and Re-dedications
In 1958, the Toronto Parks Department added the beautiful rose gardens. They also built the circular fountain around the memorial. The memorial and its gardens were dedicated again on August 20, 1958. This time, Canadian Prime Minister John Diefenbaker spoke about peace. The Shriners dedicated the memorial once more in 1989.
