War of 1812 Monument facts for kids
| Triomphe grâce à la diversité (French) | |
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| Location | Parliament Hill, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada |
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| Designer | Adrienne Alison |
| Type | War memorial |
| Material | Bronze (statues), granite (plinths) |
The War of 1812 Monument, officially titled Triumph Through Diversity (which means Triomphe grâce à la diversité in French), is a special memorial. It is made of bronze and stone. You can find it on Parliament Hill in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. Ottawa is Canada's capital city.
This monument honors everyone who helped defend Canada during the War of 1812. This war happened between 1812 and 1815. The monument shows seven figures. Each figure represents a different group of people who fought on the Canadian side.
What Does the Monument Show?
The monument features seven figures standing together. They represent the diverse people who helped protect Canada during the War of 1812. These figures include:
- A First Nations fighter, representing the Indigenous peoples.
- A Métis militiaman, showing the Métis people's role.
- A regular infantry soldier from the Royal Newfoundland Regiment.
- A Quebec soldier from the Canadian Voltigeurs being helped by a female figure. She is bandaging his arm.
- A Royal Navy marine, representing the naval forces.
- A farmer, showing that everyday citizens also helped.
These figures stand together to show how different groups united. The monument is located across from the National War Memorial. One of the figures on the 1812 Monument even points towards it.
The Special Maple Tree
Part of the monument is a young maple tree. This tree has a very special meaning. It was planted in soil collected from 10 different Canadian battlefield sites. These are places where important battles of the War of 1812 happened.
When the monument was dedicated, the tree was watered with water from six different oceans and lakes. These bodies of water were important during the War of 1812. The maple tree symbolizes the Canadian nation. It grew strong from the efforts of everyone who defended Canada during the war.
When Was the Monument Dedicated?
The War of 1812 Monument was officially dedicated on November 6, 2014. This date was chosen because it marked 200 years since the war's final battle in Canada. That last battle was called the Battle of Malcolm's Mills. The dedication was a way to remember and honor the courage and teamwork shown during the war.
