December 6 is the National Day of Remembrance and Action on
Violence Against Women in Canada. Established in 1991 by the Parliament of Canada, this day marks
the anniversary of the murders in 1989 of 14 young women at l'École
Polytechnique de Montréal. They died because they were women.

As well as commemorating the 14 young women whose lives ended in
an act of gender-based violence that shocked the nation, December 6 represents
an opportunity for Canadians to reflect on the phenomenon of violence against
women in our society. It is also an opportunity to consider the women and girls
for whom violence is a daily reality, and to remember those who have died as a
result of gender-based violence. And finally, it is a day on which communities
can consider concrete actions to eliminate all forms of violence against women
and girls.

http://www.swc-cfc.gc.ca/med/sta-dec/2013/1206-eng.html

http://www.swc-cfc.gc.ca/commemoration/vaw-vff/rememberance-commemoration-eng.html