Confederation Square is the second significant ceremonial center of the Canadian capital after Parliament Hill. It is recognized as a National Historic Site of the country. It is noteworthy that the square has a triangular form. Its importance is caused by the location in the heart of Ottawa and also the presence of the major historical monuments and buildings both on the square and its vicinity. The square is partly crossed by the Rideau Canal, a National Historic Site of Canada and a World Heritage Site.

Initially, the square appeared in 1869 and bore the name of the Governor-General Connaught. Today, there are the National War Memorial and Valiants Memorial. From here, it is easy to get to Wellington Street and Elgin Street. Chateau Laurier, the Senate of Canada Building, the National Arts Centre, Central Chambers, the Scottish Ontario Chambers and the Central Post Office are very close by.

During the Central Post Office construction, Elgin Street expanded, and the improvement work continued on the square. After the National War Memorial installation in 1939, the plaza changed the name to Confederation Square.

The competition for the war memorial best project, dedicated to the participants and victims of the First World War, was announced in 1925. The winner was the project of the sculptor Vernon March selected from 127 sent to the competition.

The grand opening took place on May 21, 1939. King George VI visited Ottawa and opened the War Memorial, and Queen Elizabeth I also attended the ceremony. The capital residents remembered this event with a particular solemnity and splendor. There were more than 100 thousand people, 12 thousand of whom were war veterans.

In 1982, new dates, dedicated to Canadians who died in the Second World War and the Korean War, appeared on the memorial. Later, in 2014, the names of the participants of the Second Boer War and the War in Afghanistan were added. The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier was erected in front of the National War Memorial in 2000. Every year, Canadians hold ceremonial meetings laying wreaths on the National War Memorial on Memorial Day, November 11. The press and television provide extensive coverage of this event where many heads of state take part.