April 9

Some of Brunel's works include the SS Great Britain (the first propeller-driven ocean-going iron ship, which was at the time also the largest ship ever built), the Thames Tunnel (the first tunnel under a navigable river), Clifton Suspension Bridge (at the time the longest span of any bridge in the world, 700 ft long and 200 ft above the river) and the Great Western Railway (which included Box Tunnel, the longest railway tunnel in the world at that time).

The Battle of Vimy Ridge was part of a larger offensive against German lines, the Battle of Arras. After a two-week bombardment of German lines, the attack began at 5:30 a.m. on 9 April, 1917.

The Canadian Corps were responsible for the successful attack on Vimy Ridge, which was completed on April 12. The battle was the first occasion on which all four infantry divisions of the Canadian Expeditionary Force participated in a battle together, and it has become a symbol of national pride for Canada. The entire force amounted to 170,000 men, of which 3,598 died, 7,004 were wounded, and four Victoria Crosses were won.

In 2003 the Canadian Government declared that April 9 should be remembered as Vimy Ridge Day.