Canada's contribution to keeping the peace all over the globe was marked at a ceremony at the National Peacekeeping Monument in Ottawa Sunday.

August 11 is National Peacekeepers' Day.

The ceremony recognized more than 125,000 Canadians who have worked for peace since 1948, and honoured the more than 275 who have given their lives.

The event is held every year on the Sunday closest to August 9th. On that day in 1974, nine Canadian peacekeepers lost their lives while serving with the United Nations Emergency Force in Egypt and Israel - the greatest single loss of Canadian lives on any peacekeeping mission. Parliament proclaimed August 9th as National Peacekeepers' Day in June 2008.

"Canada has a well-earned international reputation for the highest standards in peacekeeping" said Royal Galipeau, MPP for Ottawa-Orléans. "For years we have drawn on the experience and commitment of our finest men and women from the Canadian Forces, the RCMP and other police forces - all of them dedicated to building a better, safer world."

With music provided by the Band of the Ceremonial Guard and a C-17 flypast, the ceremony marked the 20th anniversary of the National Peacekeeping Monument Reconciliation unveiled in October 1992.

Reconciliation was created as a tribute to Canadian peacekeepers after they were awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1988.

The event also highlighted 20 years of Canadian involvement in the Balkan region.