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Board member Margaret MacMillan on why we remember WW1
Board member Margaret MacMillan on why we remember WW1

We often prefer not to think about war, to see it as an aberration and interruption of the normal, and peaceful, state of affairs. Like it or not though, war is deeply woven into human history. A century ago the Great War broke out in Europe and in the course of the next four years drew in over twenty nations from around the world including, of course, our own country. The impact and consequences of that gigantic struggle were huge and we cannot understand the 20th century without taking that into account.

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In Memoriam: remembering the First World War at U of T
In Memoriam: remembering the First World War at U of T

They called it The Great War. The War to End All Wars. A conflict that killed, wounded and maimed millions of soldiers and civilians, destroying empires, transforming the world’s political and economic structures and spreading heartbreak and loss from the tiniest of Canadian villages to the most powerful cities on earth.

On July 31, members of the public and the University of Toronto community will gather at Varsity Stadium to mark the 100th anniversary of the First World War. In Memoriam, a remembrance of the sacrifices of 1914-1918, will bring together renowned historian and U of T professor Margaret MacMillan, the Massed Band of the Canadian Armed Forces and General Thomas J. Lawson, chief of the defense staff.

When Great Britain declared war on Germany on 4 August 1914, Canada was caught off guard and ill-prepared – and so was the University of Toronto.

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Board member Robert Bothwell recounts how Canada found itself at war on August 4, 1914
Board member Robert Bothwell recounts how Canada found itself at war on August 4, 1914

On August 4, 1914, Canadians found themselves at war. It was not entirely unexpected: for the previous two weeks there had been increasingly alarming reports of confrontations among the nations of Europe, and then mounting speculation that Great Britain, too, would be involved, and with Britain the British Empire, and with the British Empire, Canada, the empire’s first and largest dominion. 

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Director John English receives German Order of Merit
Director John English receives German Order of Merit

Director John English was awarded Germany’s top honour for his work in promoting German language and culture throughout his career. The award was presented by Walter Stechel, the consul general of Germany, at a ceremony held at Trinity College on June 12.

The Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany, called the Bundesverdienstkreuz, honours both Germans and foreigners in all areas of endeavour. Similar to the Order of Canada, this award represents the highest tribute Germany pays for services to the nation in political, economic, social or intellectual fields.

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