February 21

1796:

John Graves Simcoe proposed the "military street'' as a strategic route to help protect Upper Canada from American invasion. We know it as the longest street in the world, Toronto's Yonge Street, whose completion was announced today in history

1916:

The battle of Verdun begins

1919:

PPCLI presented with Wreath of Laurel by Lady Patricia Ramsey at Bramshot Camp, England

1945:

German resistance in Moyland Wood collapses after a week of fighting. The next objective for 1st Canadian Army will be the defences in the forests of the Hochwald.

1951:

A nine-man patrol from Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry comes under fire in Korea. They are the first Canadian troops to be fired upon by the enemy in this United Nations "police action". No casualties are reported.