149th anniversary of the founding of the RCMP

On May 23 1873, the RCMP (then North West Mounted Police) was founded in Ottawa. The next summer, the NWMP set out on the Great March West and helped shape Canada as we know it. There is no more icon symbol than the Mounties on Horseback, recognized both in Canada and around the world.

Each year, on May 23, the RCMP Veterans' Association, Ottawa Division and Beechwood Cemetery holds our annual commemoration for the founding of the RCMP at the RCMP National Memorial Cemetery.

The event consists of an early morning vigil, followed by a Remembrance Ceremony with a wreath-laying. Although we had to cancel our formal ceremony, we laid a wreath to honour all those who came before us.