Mishall RehmanThe Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) has entered into the storied pages of history after setting a record for illuminating the most landmarks around the world in 24 hours.
The prestigious Guinness World Record recognized the efforts of the RCAF after setting a world record on Apri 1, 2024.
The Guinness World Record was set in recognition of the RCAF’s centennial anniversary.
“We are incredibly proud to have set this Guinness World Record. This illumination event was a visual spectacle and a heartfelt tribute to RCAF personnel, past and present, who have served our country with distinction. We are grateful to all Canadians and our global partners who participated and helped us light up the nation and the world in celebration of our Centennial,” said LGen. Eric Kenny, Commander of the RCAF and Chief of Air Force Staff.
The record was set with 56 landmarks illuminated in 24 hours. The previous record was 38 illuminated landmarks. Moreover, over 500 sites, including landmarks, were illuminated worldwide.
Hundreds of sites lit worldwide
To set the world record, the RCAF blue proudly illuminated over 350 sites across Canada. Additionally, more than 150 sites were illuminated worldwide.
International countries that displayed the RCAF blue are Australia, Austria, Bermuda, England, Estonia, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Iraq, Ireland, Italy, Kuwait, Latvia, Lithuania, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Northern Ireland, Peru, Poland, Scotland, Slovenia, South Korea, and the United States.
“To see so many people come together to celebrate the Centennial of the Royal Canadian Air Force was truly remarkable. Over the past century, the RCAF has achieved incredible feats thanks to the dedication and talent of its amazing personnel. This milestone is a testament to all who participated at home and abroad, whose unwavering support has made such achievements possible,” said Col. Margaret Jacula, Campaign Manager, RCAF 2024.
In total, 56 landmarks were lit worldwide, 42 of which were in Canada. The sites included the CN Tower, the Ottawa Peace Tower, and the Ambassador Bridge. Other locations, which made up more than 500 sites in total, included government buildings, museums, and private residences.
Making the cut
According to the Department of National Defence (DND), the RCAF needed to follow strict guidelines provided by the Guinness World Records to make the cut.
To be considered a landmark by Guinness World Records, a location had to be recognized by UNESCO, national governmental registers, or significant third-party registers.
To enter into the records, the RCAF needed to include evidence such as a ten-minute timestamped video, a photo of the landmarks and two witness statements, shared DND.
Celebrating the achievement
To celebrate achieving this milestone, the official Guinness World Records certificate was presented to the RCAF commander. It was also presented to Chief Warrant Officer John Hall, Command Chief Warrant Officer of the RCAF, and Captain Aaron Niles, Strategic Planner for the RCAF Centennial Team and lead for the illumination campaign, during the RCAF Centennial Ball on June 1, 2024, in Ottawa.
List of sites
A list of sites illuminated for this extraordinary feat include:
Canada
- Bradford Heritage Clock Tower – Bradford East Gwillimbury
- Calgary Jack Singer Concert Hall – Calgary
- Telus Sky – Calgary
- Calgary Plus 15 – Calgary
- Calgary Tower – Calgary
- Canada Life Centre – Winnipeg
- Canadian Warplane Museum – Mount Hope
- Diamond Valley – Diamon Valley
- Innisfil Legion – Innisfil
- Mississauga Clock Tower – Mississauga
- Ottawa Peace Tower – Ottawa
- Radome – Clinton
- Rogers Centre – Toronto
- Thunder Bay Battle of Britain Monument – Thunder Bay
- Vancouver City Hall – Vancouver
- Alberta Legislature – Edmonton
- Vancouver Lookout – Vancouver
- Bloedel Conservatory – Vancouver
- Saanich Municipal Hall – Saanich
- Queen Elizabeth Theatre – Vancouver
- New Westminster City Hall – New Westminster
- BC Place – Vancouver
- Signal Hill – St John’s
- Government House (Newfoundland and Labrador) – St John’s
- Selkirk Water Tower – Selkirk
- Government House (Nova Scotia) – Halifax
- Halifax City Hall – Halifax
- Camp Hill – Halifax
- CN Tower – Toronto
- Guelph City Hall – Guelph
- Brockville Rail Tunnel – Brockville
- North Bay City Hall – North Bay
- Gummer Building – Guelph
- The Post Office – Guelph
- Meaford Water Tower – Meaford
- M.L McConaghy Seniors Centre Cenotaph – Richmond Hill
- Aurora War Memorial Peace Park – Aurora
- The Armoury – Aurora
- Belleville Town Hall – Bellville
- Estevan Water Tower – Estevan
- Charlottetown City Hall – Charlottetown
- Pearson Airport – Toronto
New Zealand
- Christchurch Airport – Christchurch
- Queens Park Feldwick Gates – Invercargill
- Queens Park Fountain – Invercargill
Scotland
- Falkirk Wheel – Falkirk
- The Town House Hamilton – Hamilton
- Marischal College – Aberdeen
- Scullion Law – Hamilton
- St Andrews House – Edinburgh
- Allan Church – Bannockburn
Ireland
- Cork City Hall – Cork City
South Korea
- Seoul Tower – Seoul
Austria
- Danube Tower – Vienna
Estonia
- Tallinn Tower – Tallinn
France
- Juno Bach Centre – Normandy
Guinness Book of World Records
According to the Guinness Book of World Records, “the previous record of 38 was achieved by The Estée Lauder Companies as recognized in New York, New York, USA, on 1 October 2010.”
To view the RCAF’s world-breaking entry, visit here.
