Ours is not a warlike nation, but whenever circumstances have warranted Canadians have answered the call to arms, as far back as the 1700s. The most notable examples have been during the 20th century: two World Wars, the Korean War, and numerous peace-keeping roles of varying scope and success under the United Nations aegis. These conflicts have cost the lives of more than 110,000 men and women.

For as long as most people can remember, Canada's battles have been commemorated and veterans honoured on Remembrance Day, November 11, the date World War I ended. This year is no exception but, sadly, two of our best known veterans were notably absent. Canada's oldest WWI veteran, Paul Merivier, passed away at 104, and we also bade farewell to our last Victoria Cross recipient, the colourful and always cheerful Ernest "Smokey" Smith. Requiescant in pace.

It has now been 60 years since the end of World War II and a half-century since the truce that ended fighting in Korea. Realizing that the number of Canadian veterans is dwindling fast, the government declared 2005 the "Year of the Veteran". Veterans have made presentations and answered questions in schools across the nation, children have researched the contributions made by their forefathers, and some have travelled to the actual battle sites in Europe. Special ceremonies and events have been held throughout the year all across Canada and in Normandy, Belgium and Holland. (In Apeldoorn alone 300,000 lined the streets to cheer their liberators).

On this Remembrance Day it seems appropriate to look back at the main events that have taken place at home in the nation's capital during this special year. The history and events are presented in chronological order, along with considerable background information.