24 students from Hampstead School in London travelled to Ottawa, Canada and Washington D.C, USA, as winners in the Their Past Your Future Commemorative Visits Competition, commemorating the sixtieth anniversary of the end of the Second World War.
The trip focused on exploring their experiences of the Second World War and each nations’ attitudes to remembrance and commemoration, providing a contrast and comparison to attitudes and events within the UK. The group visited museums and other sites of historical and political interest in Ottawa and Washington to explore Canadian and American history and culture, as well as providing the opportunity to talk to Canadian veterans about their experiences.
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Canada and USA Itinerary
Canada and USA Itinerary
Below is the itinerary that was followed by pupils on their 14-day visit to the two capital cities.
If you would like to find out more about places to visit on educational tours of Ottawa or Washington, please see the ‘Places to Visit in Ottawa’ and ‘Places to Visit in Washington D.C’ sections below.
Canada & USA Itinerary
Day 1
Day 2
- Walking Tour of Ottawa highlighting historic events
- Visit to Major’s Hill Park, the main celebration site for the annual Tulip Festival
- Visit to the Canadian Museum of Civilisation
- Visit to Green Island for ‘Aboriginal Experience’, a reconstruction of a native village settlement
- Evening at Dow’s Lake to watch the Parade of Lights and fireworks
Day 3
- Visit to the newly opened Canadian War Museum including looking at the architecture, seeing the Second World War gallery
- Students met and interviewed three Canadian veterans
- Free time at the end of the day
Day 4
- Visit to the Parliament buildings including the Peace Tower and Memorial Chamber
- Tour of Ottawa memorials, including the National War Memorial, Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, Aboriginal War Veterans Memorial, Ottawa Memorial and Beechwood Cemetery
- Education session: students considered their responses to the different war memorials and presented to the rest of the group
Day 5
- A second day at the Canadian War Museum, including a tour of the Art and War exhibition and role play activities
Day 6
Day 7
- Travel to Washington D.C. in the afternoon
- Walking tour of Washington, including a visit to the Capitol Building and the first of two visits to the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History
Day 9
- The walking tour continued by seeing the White House and a second visit to the Smithsonian and its Second World War exhibition
- A memorials walk which included seeing the new Second World War Memorial, the Vietnam Veterans’ and Korean War Veterans’ Memorials
Day 10
- Visit to Arlington National Cemetery and memorials
- Evening Memorial Day Concert on Capitol Building lawn
Day 11
- Memorial Day: education session in the morning comparing US and Canadian ways of commemorating and remembrance
- An afternoon at a Memorial Day baseball match
Day 12
- A day trip to Annapolis, Maryland, including a visit to the US Naval Academy
- Free afternoon
Day 13
- A visit to the US Holocaust Memorial Museum
- Attended the ‘First Person’ audience with Holocaust survivor, David Bayer
Day 14
- Return to London from Washington D.C. on overnight flight
Places to Visit in Ottawa
If you are planning a visit to Ottawa to learn about the Second World War visit some of the places described below. You could also visit the following websites for further information:
http://canada.gc.ca/main_e.html
http://www.ottawa.com/
http://www.vac-acc.gc.ca/remembers/
Disclaimer:
All the sites listed are checked regularly. However, the changing nature of the Internet means that some sites may alter after we have visited them. Their Past Your Future is not responsible for the content of external websites.
Aboriginal Experiences
Address: Turtle Island Tourism Company, 12 Stirling Avenue, Ottawa
Tel: 613-564-9494 or 1-877-811-3233 (free)
Website: http://www.aboriginalexperiences.com
Green Island, Ottawa, is the location for the ‘Aboriginal Experience’, which brings some of the history of the First Peoples of the area, the Algonquin, to life. It includes interpretive tours of a reconstruction of a native village settlement, traditional story-telling session in a tipi, craft workshops, guided walks and camping.
Canadian Museum of Civilization
Address: 100 Laurier Street, Gatineau, Québec
Tel: (819) 776-7000 OR 1-800-555-5621 (free)
Website: http://www.civilization.ca
This museum is Canada’s national museum of human history. It aims to foster a sense of common identity and shared past as well as to increase understanding between the different cultural groups that make up Canadian society. It contains galleries about the First Peoples (Native Americans), European settlement, trading and towns, as well as various temporary and special exhibitions.
Canadian Parliament Building, Peace Tower and Memorial Chamber building
Address: Parliament Hill, Ottawa
Tel: 1 (613) 992-4793 OR 1 (866) 599-4999 (free)
Website: http://www.parl.gc.ca/information/visitors/indoor/content-e.htm
The Canadian Parliament building, Peace Tower and Memorial Chamber are located at Parliament Hill. The main section of the building, called the Centre Block, is where the House of Commons and the Senate meet; it also houses the Library of Parliament. It was built in 1916 in Gothic Revival style, replacing the previous Parliament building, which was destroyed by fire. The Peace Tower is a freestanding bell tower located just in front of Parliament. It was named to honour the thousands of Canadians who died in battle during the First World War. Within the Peace Tower, and a central component of it, is the Memorial Chamber. This is dedicated to the memory of all Canadians who have given their lives in service to their country and is where the Books of Remembrance containing the names of the war dead are kept.
Canadian War Museum
Address: 1 Vimy Place, Ottawa, Ontario
Tel: (819) 776-8600 or 1-800-555-5621 (free)
Website: http://warmuseum.ca/cwm/gallery3_e.html
This is Canada's national museum of military history, covering the country’s military past from earliest times to the present day. It was re-opened after major rebuilding on May 8 2005, the 60th anniversary of VE Day. The museum’s mission is to remember, to preserve and to educate. The national museum of military history captures changing attitudes towards the military over the centuries, changing methods of remembrance and honouring and the role military events have played in Canadian history. The museum, with its Royal Canadian Legion Hall of Honour, is also a memorial itself to those who have served, fought and died during conflicts involving Canada.
Montréal city
Web: http://www.tourisme-montreal.org/B2C/00/default.asp
Montréal is the capital of Québec province and has a population of 3.4 million. It was founded by the French in 1642 and has been both a French settlement and a British stronghold. Today, it is largely a French-speaking city, though it is officially bilingual. The French founders settled along the St Lawrence River and much has been preserved from this time in the Old Port and Old Montréal. The city has other attractions including a number of museums, churches, parks, cafes and restaurants. Montréal is approximately 1½ hours by coach northeast from Ottawa.
National Military Cemetery of the Canadian Forces
Address: Beechwood Cemetery
280 Beechwood Avenue, Ottawa
Websites: http://www.cwgc.org
http://www.beechwoodcemetery.com/hilites.htm#veterans
Beechwood Cemetery is where many of Canada’s war dead have been laid to rest. Section 27 was purchased by the Department of Veterans’ Affairs in 1944. It is in this section, around the Cross of Sacrifice designed by Sir Reginald Blomfield, that 2,400 servicemen are buried. Section 29 is administered by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, which looks after 235 veterans’ graves here. There is also a CWGC cremation memorial on site. See the Commonwealth War Graves Commission’s website for more information about the cemetery and to access Remember Me – aan education resource for upper primary and secondary schools.
The National War Memorial and Tomb of the Unknown Solider
Address: Confederation Square, Ottawa
Websites: http://www.vacacc.gc.ca/general/sub.cfm?source=Memorials/memcan/national
http://www.vacacc.gc.ca/general/sub.cfm?source=Memorials/tomb
The National War Memorial was unveiled by King George VI in May 1939, is dedicated to all Canadians who have served their country in war. The Memorial, a granite arch over 21 metres high, is situated in Confederation Square, in the middle of downtown Ottawa. It features bronze figures representing Peace and Freedom. Advancing through the archway are 22 bronze figures representing the 640,000 Canadians who fought in the First World War. It was designed by an English architect, Vernon March, whose design was chosen in a worldwide competition in 1925. Over the years, the Memorial has come to symbolise the sacrifice of all Canadians who served Canada in times of war. The Memorial was rededicated in 1982 to include those who died in the Second World War and the 1950-1953 Korean War. A nationally televised Remembrance Day ceremony is held at the Memorial on 11 November each year, the date in 1918 that the Armistice (ceasefire) came into effect in the First World War. As in Britain, Canadians wear poppies to remember the dead and a two-minute silence is observed at 11 am. The week leading up to Armistice Day is known as Veterans Week. Other commemorative ceremonies are held here throughout the year.
The remains of an unknown Canadian soldier were laid to rest in a sarcophagus on the south side of Canada's National War Memorial on 28 May 2000. The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier consists of a granite sarcophagus with a bronze cover. The casket in which the Unknown Soldier lies is made of Canadian silver maple. The casket containing the remains lay in state for three days before being placed in the sarcophagus so that Canadians could pay their respects. The unidentified soldier interred in the Tomb was selected by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission from a cemetery in the vicinity of Vimy Ridge, France, the scene of Canada’s most famous First World War military victory in 1917. The battle there continues to have a very strong resonance among Canadians.
The Ottawa Memorial
Address: Green Island, Ottawa
Website: http://www.vac-acc.gc.ca/general/sub.cfm?source=
memorials/memcan/comairmem
The Ottawa Memorial was erected by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission and unveiled by Queen Elizabeth II on 1 July 1959. It takes the form of a huge bronze globe in memory of the 822 men and women of the British Commonwealth and Empire who gave their lives in Canada, the United States, neighbouring lands and seas who have no known grave. Many of those commemorated died while associated with the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan, in which over 130,000 air and ground crew were sent to Canada as part of the combined Commonwealth training effort.
Tulip Festival
Website: http://www.tulipfestival.ca/
The Canadian Tulip Festival, held every May, is a symbol of the good relationship between the Canadians and the Dutch since the Second World War. It is celebrated particularly by the residents of Ottawa and Gatineau, where while the Dutch Royal Family was hosted by the Canadian Government during the Second World War. While there, Princess Juliana gave birth to Princess Margriet. In 1945, after the War, Princess Juliana of the Netherlands presented Ottawa with 100,000 tulip bulbs in thanks for the help of the Canadians.
Places to Visit in Washington D.C.
If you are planning a visit to Washington D.C to learn about the remembrance of war and democracy, you could visit some of the places described below. You could also visit the following website for further information:
http://www.usa.gov/
http://www.cr.nps.gov/nr/travel/wash/index.htm
Arlington National Cemetery
Address: Arlington, Virginia
Tel: (703) 607-8000
Website: http://www.arlingtoncemetery.org/
Arlington National Cemetery is where over 60,000 American war dead have been interred. It is the sight of various monuments remembering the dead, such as the Tomb of the Unknowns at the Memorial Amphitheatre, the eternal flame of the Kennedy grave and the Canadian Cross of Sacrifice. The main mission of Arlington National Cemetery is ‘to function as the nation's premier military cemetery and shrine honoring those men and women who served in the Armed Forces’. Memorial Day is also celebrated at Arlington National Cemetery with a ceremony in which a small American flag is placed on each grave. The President or Vice-President gives a speech and lays a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. There are actually three Tombs of the Unknowns; two unknown servicemen, one from the First World War and one from the Second World War are buried there. The Tombs were initially completed in 1932. There is also a tomb for an unknown soldier from the Vietnam conflict. The remains in this tomb were, however, disinterred in 1998 and identified as those of an Air Force officer, Michael J. Blassie. His family had his remains reinterred near their home. A decision has now been taken that the crypt at the Tomb of the Unknowns that contained the remains of the Vietnam Unknown will remain empty.
Capitol Hill
Address: Capitol Hill, Washington DC
Websites: http://www.aoc.gov/
http://www.capitolhill.org/
Telephone: 202-225-6827
The Capitol Complex is also over 200 years old and is comprised of the Capitol, the House and Senate Office Buildings, the US Botanic Garden, the Capitol Grounds, the Library of Congress buildings and the Supreme Court Building, which is the highest court of the land. The Capitol is located on a hill on the east side of National Mall. Building the Capitol began in 1793; it was not completed until 1826 and has been modified many times since. The Memorial Day concert on takes place on the Capitol lawns.
National World War II Memorial
Address: 17th Street, Washington DC
Website: http://www.wwiimemorial.com/
The National War Memorial in Washington to the Second World War was opened in April 2004. It commemorates the involvement of over 16 million Americans who served in the forces, their supporters at home and over 400,000 who died in service. The Memorial is also dedicated to those who supported the war effort at home, such as agricultural and factory workers and those involved in the massive civil defence programme. An important aspect of the memorial’s symbolism is that of American national unity and the strength that is possible when the nation is united. The monument is therefore a memorial to the citizens of the nation at a given time, rather than specifically to the war dead. It is sited near the Reflecting Pool, between the Lincoln Memorial and the Washington Monument. The National World War II Memorial is situated on the Mall, an area extending approximately two miles from the Capitol to the Washington Monument. The Mall has seen many historical events, including presidential inaugural gatherings and demonstrations.
The Smithsonian National Museum of American History
Address: National Mall, Washington DC
Website: http://americanhistory.si.edu/
The National Museum of American History at the Smithsonian is explores major themes in American history, society and culture from the War of Independence to present day. The Price of Freedom: Americans at War, is a permanent exhibition that was opened in late 2004 and considers the United States’ involvement in conflict, nationally and globally. It includes coverage of American involvement from 1941 in the Second World War, after the attack by the Japanese on Pearl Harbor. Over 16 million Americans entered the military and millions more formed a ‘civilian army’, contributing towards the war effort on the home front. Learning resources are also provided on the museum’s website for educators.
The United States Holocaust Memorial Museum
Address: 100 Raoul Wallenberg Place SW, Washington DC
Tel: 202 488-0400
Website: http://www.ushmm.org
The United States Holocaust Memorial Museum is America’s national institution for the documentation, study, and interpretation of Holocaust history. It is dedicated to the 6 million Jews murdered during the Holocaust. Its main mission is ‘to advance and disseminate knowledge about this unprecedented tragedy; to preserve the memory of those who suffered; and to encourage its visitors to reflect upon the moral and spiritual questions raised by the events of the Holocaust as well as their own responsibilities as citizens of a democracy’. It tries to achieve this with a commemorative space, educational and archival areas, an exhibition space, and a research institute designed to combat the dangers portrayed in the museum's exhibition.
The US Naval Academy and Museum
Address: Armel-Leftwich Visitor Center, Naval Academy Guide Service, 52 King George Street, Annapolis, Maryland
Tel: 410-263-6933
Websites: http://www.navyonline.com
http://www.usna.edu///homepage.php
Annapolis is the capital of Maryland and was the capital of the United States when the Treaty of Paris was signed in1783, ending the War of Independence against Britain. It is famously known today as the home of the United States Naval Academy, training men and women for service in the US Navy. The Museum is located on the grounds of the Naval Academy and it aims to demonstrate the US Navy's role in war and in peace. The Visitor Center can organise guided group walking tours of the Naval Academy.
The Vietnam Veterans Memorial
Address: 17th Street and Constitution Avenue NW, Washington DC
Website: http://www.nps.gov/vive/
http://www.nps.gov/vive/memorial/memorial.htm
Opened in 1982 and once labelled a ‘degrading ditch’, the VVM was hated by most veterans. But their minds have been changed, largely by the public reaction to the monument. It is now one the most loved memorials in the United States. The VVM 500 feet-long marble wall is dedicated to the 60,000 soldiers who died or went missing serving their country in Vietnam. Each is named. Visitors are able to remember individuals by leaving notes, flowers or trinkets. The Vietnam memorial has been so successful that a replica tours the country. The aim of the memorial was to allow everyone to consider the cost of war as well as to honour those who died from the United States armed services.
The Korean War Veterans Memorial
Address: French Drive SW, Washington DC
Website: http://www.nps.gov/kowa/
http://www.nps.gov/kwvm/war/korea.htm
The Korean Veterans Memorial honours those who fought and died in the Korean War between 1950 and 1953. The memorial is made up of the United Nations Wall, which lists the countries of the UN that provided support to South Korea, a granite mural of over 2000 faces, and statues depicting, to contemplate of the loss of over 54,000 American lives.
The White House
Address: The White House, 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC
Website: http://www.whitehouse.gov/
Tel: 202-456-7041
The White House was completed in 1800 and houses the presidential offices. George Washington and his city planner, Pierre L’Enfant, chose the site, but it was President John Adams who was the first to move in. The White House has only been known as such since 1901, when President Theodore Roosevelt gave it its official name. It was this President, too, who built the West Wing in 1902 for more space to work but it was not till 1909 that the Oval Office was established as the President’s office at the centre of the West Wing. Public tours of the White House can be organised for groups of more than 10, but it is advised to organise this early as there is only one a month. There is also a White House visitor Centre on the southeast corner of 15th and E Streets.
