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The Ï㽶ÊÓƵ Archives is pleased to announce two events in commemoration of Remembrance Day.Ìý On November 11, a digitized version of the newly restored Book of Remembrance will be launched on the McGill Remembers . In addition, attendees at the Remembrance Day Service are invited to view the original Book of Remembrance on temporary display from 10am to 4pm in the lobby of McLennan Library Building.Ìý This event will be followed by the official unveiling and long-term display of a replica copy on November 13 at 4:30PM.Ìý

The illuminated Book of Remembrance records the names of the nearly 700 students, staff and faculty who lost their lives in World War I and World War II.Ìý Each name is handwritten in calligraphy and the parchment pages are illuminated with vibrant reds, blues or greens, as well as silver and gold.Ìý The Book is bound in red leather with the Ï㽶ÊÓƵ emblem emblazoned with silver and gold on the cover.

The Book was first unveiled during the official opening of Memorial Hall, now part of the Currie Gymnasium Complex, on November 26, 1950.Ìý Memorial Hall was to be the permanent home of the Book of Remembrance and commemorative artifacts such as the battalion flags and the portrait of the Unknown Soldier, as well as the site for future Remembrance Day ceremonies.Ìý By the mid-1980s, Memorial Hall was no longer used for these activities, and the illuminated Book of Remembrance was becoming a distant memory.

In February 2014, the Book of Remembrance was removed from its original casing in Memorial Hall to be restored and digitized.Ìý As a result of this project, a replica of the Book was made and will be housed in a special display case in the pedway connecting the McLennan and Redpath Library Buildings. A digitized version will be launched on the McGill Remembers , and the original will be made accessible for viewing in the Rare Books and Special Collections, and Archives Reading Room on the fourth floor of the McLennan Library Building.
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