Annual Battle of Chippawa Memorial Ceremony
For Immediate Release
July 2, 2010
Annual Battle of Chippawa Memorial Ceremony
Niagara Falls, ON - The Niagara Parks Commission (NPC) and the Chippawa Branch 396 of the Royal Canadian Legion will honour those who served on the Chippawa Battlefield on Monday, July 5 at 7 p.m. at the Chippawa Battlefield Monument, located on the Niagara Parkway. NPC Chair Fay Booker will provide opening remarks followed by a special presentation by NPC Historian, Sherman Zavitz. The ceremony will also consist of a musical presentation by the Fort George Fife and Drum Corps, musket demonstrations and refreshments.
Fought on July 5, 1814, the Battle of Chippawa was the opening engagement of the Niagara campaign, the longest and bloodiest military operation of the War of 1812. A memorial service is held on July 5 each year to commemorate the fallen of all the nations involved - this pivotal battle cost the lives of about 200 American, British, Canadian and native warriors allied to both sides, most of whom are thought to be buried at the battle site. The Battle marked the first time American regulars faced British regulars in a stand-up military action fought in the open and many historians cite Chippawa as the birthplace of the modern American army.
A focal point of the Battlefield Park is the memorial cairn, dedicated to the memory of the regiments and First Nations warriors who fought in this battle. The cairn is also meant to commemorate and celebrate the peace that has prevailed between Canada and the United States since that time. The monument is constructed of dolomite limestone donated by Fort Niagara (Youngstown, NY), another key site in the War of 1812.
NPC acquired the site of the Battle of Chippawa in 1995 and has preserved 121 hectares of this last remaining War of 1812 battlefield. Located south of the Village of Chippawa, interpretive panels along the self-guided walking tour help visitors to understand the events of this important battle.
The Niagara Parks Commission encompasses a unique landscape that is rich in historical and natural significance. Over 100 monuments and plaques that identify the landmarks, events and persons important to the history of the region are placed along the Niagara Parkway from Fort Erie to Niagara-on-the-Lake. The Niagara Parks Commission is an agency of the Government of Ontario, and has preserved and maintained the parklands and attractions surrounding the Falls without tax dollars since 1885.
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For more information please call:
Tony Baldinelli, Communications Manager
tbaldinelli@niagaraparks.com
(905) 371-0837