Vimy Ridge Day2026 · Date · History
Canada’s Vimy Ridge Day Act designates April 9 in every year as Vimy Ridge Day, and Veterans Affairs Canada continues to host annual commemorative ceremonies.
About Vimy Ridge Day
Vimy Ridge Day is Canada’s national day of remembrance of the Battle of Vimy Ridge, observed every April 9.
The Vimy Ridge Day Act, assented to on April 3, 2003, states that April 9 in each and every year shall be known as Vimy Ridge Day.
Why Vimy Ridge Day matters
The day commemorates the Battle of Vimy Ridge, fought from April 9 to 12, 1917 during the First World War.
Its statutory purpose is remembrance; the Act specifically says Vimy Ridge Day is not a legal holiday or non-juridical day.
History of Vimy Ridge Day
The Battle of Vimy Ridge began on April 9, 1917 and involved all four divisions of the Canadian Corps.
Parliament enacted the Vimy Ridge Day Act in 2003, establishing April 9 as the annual national day of remembrance.
The Act also requires the Canadian flag on the Peace Tower to be lowered to half-mast each April 9.
Veterans Affairs Canada continues to organize and list Vimy Ridge Day commemorative ceremonies in Canada and at the Canadian National Vimy Memorial in France.
How the observance developed
This timeline uses documented milestones from reviewed sources. Missing stages are left out rather than guessed.
Parliament of Canada / Crown in Parliament
Vimy Ridge Day Act, S.C. 2003, c. 6
Government of Canada / Veterans Affairs Canada
Veterans Affairs Canada continues to organize and publish Vimy Ridge Day commemorative ceremonies.
What the evidence establishes
Confirmed institutional roles and milestones are shown first. Details that could not be established from the reviewed sources are listed separately below.
4 fields not established in reviewed sources
How to Observe Vimy Ridge Day
Read the Vimy Ridge Day Act to see the day’s exact legal status.
Use Veterans Affairs Canada resources to learn about the battle and those who served.
Attend an official or community remembrance ceremony where appropriate.
Observe commemorative practices respectfully, including moments of remembrance or educational programming.
Learn about the Canadian National Vimy Memorial and its role in remembrance.
Vimy Ridge Day Facts
Vimy Ridge Day falls on April 9 every year.
The Vimy Ridge Day Act received Royal Assent on April 3, 2003.
The Act designates April 9 throughout Canada as Vimy Ridge Day.
The Peace Tower flag is required by the Act to be lowered to half-mast on April 9.
The Act explicitly says Vimy Ridge Day is not a legal holiday.
Topic and context
What this page does not assume
- Keep the source-defined country, community, organizer or institutional scope; do not silently broaden it.
- Do not treat the title alone as proof of government recognition or public-holiday status.
- Do not add a creator, founding story or origin claim unless the supporting evidence establishes it.
- Remembrance Civic Context Care.
Evidence & sources
Sources used across the guide are gathered here. Labels show how each source supports the page, and contextual references are kept separate from primary evidence.
Justice Laws Website — Vimy Ridge Day Act (opens in a new tab)
National Legislation
Parliament of Canada (opens in a new tab)
Veterans Affairs Canada (opens in a new tab)
Veterans Affairs Canada — Vimy Ridge Day at the Canadian National Vimy Memorial (opens in a new tab)
National Government Remembrance
Understand it, compare it, then explore further
Start with the most common factual questions, then compare closely related observances and explore useful connections.
Frequently asked questions
When is Vimy Ridge Day?
9 April The documented recurrence rule is: 9 April.
Does Vimy Ridge Day fall on the same date every year?
Yes. It uses a fixed annual date unless stronger evidence changes the pattern.
Is Vimy Ridge Day an official public holiday?
The reviewed sources verify it within this scope: Canadian national day of remembrance of the Battle of Vimy Ridge. That recognition does not by itself make it a statutory public holiday; the site only makes public-holiday claims when reliable evidence explicitly does so.
Who established or recognizes Vimy Ridge Day?
The reviewed sources identify Parliament of Canada / Crown in Parliament as the proclaiming or establishing body. Current facilitation or coordination is recorded as Government of Canada / Veterans Affairs Canada.
Is Vimy Ridge Day international or country-specific?
No single country is assigned to this observance. Its documented scope is: Canadian national day of remembrance of the Battle of Vimy Ridge. Use that scope rather than assuming worldwide or country-specific status.
How is this page verified?
The factual information is checked against reviewed sources, including the date pattern, scope and institutional history. This page was checked on 2026-10-01.
When is Vimy Ridge Day?
Vimy Ridge Day is observed throughout Canada on April 9 every year.
Why is April 9 used?
April 9 is the anniversary of the start of the Battle of Vimy Ridge in 1917.
Is Vimy Ridge Day a legal holiday?
No. The Vimy Ridge Day Act expressly states that it is not a legal holiday or non-juridical day.
What does the law require?
The Act names April 9 Vimy Ridge Day and requires the Canadian flag on the Peace Tower to be lowered to half-mast that day.
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