Explore 100 years of Legion history


2026 marks the Legion’s Centenary year and we’ve created a beautiful, interactive website that chronicles major events and achievements of the Legion over the past century. From our founding and early advocacy for Veterans, through post-Second World War rehabilitation and national growth, to the modern era and new Veterans–the site is a treasure trove of history.
 

Did you know that Poppy campaign pre-dates the official incorporation of the Legion itself? Visit the site and learn more.

In the mid-1950s, Legion Branches deepened their local community impact through a range of services. Visit the site and learn more.

The Legion at a Glance

1915–1925 – Formation of Veterans’ Organizations

  • Returning Canadian soldiers from the First World War faced injuries, trauma, and limited support. Veterans formed associations, including the GWVA, to advocate for care and benefits. Many of these groups later merged to form the Canadian Legion.

November 11, 1919 – First Remembrance Day in Canada

  • Canada observed its first Armistice Day one year after the First World War ended, officially recognized as Remembrance Day in 1931. Veterans’ groups, including the GWVA, organized early ceremonies. Today, the Legion leads ceremonies nationwide, including Ottawa’s National Ceremony.

July 6, 1921 – Idea for the Remembrance Poppy Adopted

  • Inspired by John McCrae’s poem In Flanders Fields, Madame Anna Guérin presented the Poppy as a way to raise funds for Veterans. The GWVA adopted the idea in Canada, marking the first Poppy Campaign.

1925 – Founding at the Unity Conference

  • Veterans’ groups, led by the GWVA, unite to form the Canadian Legion of the British Empire Service League.

1926 – Official Incorporation

  • The Legion is incorporated by Act of Parliament on July 17 — the date now celebrated as the Legion’s official anniversary.

Mid-1930s – Advocacy for Veterans’ Healthcare

  • The Legion lobbied for specialized hospitals and treatment for Veterans, laying groundwork for the eventual creation of Veterans Affairs Canada in 1944.

1940s – Support During and After the Second World War

  • Legion Branches mobilize across Canada to aid returning service members from the Second World War (1939–1945) and their families.

1959–1961 – The “Royal” Designation

  • The Legion drops “British Empire” from its name in 1959, and in 1960, Queen Elizabeth II grants consent for the Legion to use the title “Royal.” The organization is formally renamed The Royal Canadian Legion in 1961.

1960s–1980s – Expanding Community Service

  • The Legion broadens its reach through Veterans’ care initiatives, Remembrance education, youth and community programs.

1990s–2000s – Modernization and Advocacy

  • The Legion strengthens its national advocacy for Veterans’ rights and modernizes communications and member services.

2010s–2020s – Serving a New Generation

  • Support expands to include modern Veterans of the Canadian Armed Forces and RCMP.

2026 – Centenary Year

  • The Legion marks 100 years since its official incorporation — a century of Remembrance, service, and community.