Panama City, Panama

Panama City was founded on August 15, 1519, by Pedro Arias de Ávila. In 1671, the pirate Henry Morgan with a band of 1,400 men attacked and looted the city, which was destroyed by fire. The ruins of the old city still remain and are a popular tourist attraction known as Panamá la Vieja (Old …

Zwevezele, Belgium

This monument was erected in memory of Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) 431 Squadron Pilot William Harold Wilson, who died when the Halifax bomber he was flying, MZ 521, crashed in Zwevezele on May 8, 1944. Four of the seven crew members were captured by the Germans: Sgt H. Lee (RCAF Fit/Engineer); W/O2 W. Mac …

Odense, Denmark

Odense is one of Denmark’s oldest cities. Archaeological excavations in the vicinity show proof of settlement for over 4,000 years. The name Odense means “Odin’s sanctuary,” as the area was known as a sanctuary for worshippers of the Nordic god, Odin. “I recently returned from a trip to Denmark, and I had an issue of …

Fort St. John, B.C.

Fort St. John is the oldest immigrant settlement in B.C., as well as being one of the oldest First Nations settlements. At nearby Charlie Lake Cave, archaeologists uncovered artefacts from a Paleo-Indian settlement that was active there more than 10,500 years ago. The entire region is now known as the traditional home of the Beaver …

Pioneer Plaza, Dallas, Texas

Pioneer Plaza is a large public park in downtown Dallas, Texas. Installed in 1994, the large sculpture commemorates 19th century cattle drives that took place along the Shawnee Trail, the earliest and easternmost route by which Longhorn cattle were taken to northern railheads. The trail passed through Austin, Waco, and Dallas until the Chisolm Trail …