Memorial Day has been observed annually since 1 July 1917, to recall the losses of approximately 700 soldiers of the 1st Newfoundland Regiment from the Dominion of Newfoundland at Beaumont-Hamel on the first day on the Somme during the First World War. Since the induction of Newfoundland into Canada in 1949, "Memorial Day" has been amalgamated to commemorate the war-time sacrifices of members of the armed forces of the Canadian province Newfoundland and Labrador. It is observed concurrently with Canada's national holiday, Canada Day.
