How does it look? Regular readers of Legion Magazine may have already noticed the difference(s). This year, the publication is celebrating its 100th anniversary, and in conjunction with the milestone, it’s introducing a refreshed design and a few content updates. This space, too, typically dedicated to sharing an opinion of the editors, is shifting focus for just this issue to address the occasion.
As such, I’d like to write personally as Legion editor. I have had the incredibly good fortune of forging a nearly three-decade career in the fickle Canadian magazine industry to date. I have now worked for four national publications, big and small, and am very proud that they all still exist, particularly given the challenges facing journalism, and especially magazines, these days.
I have also celebrated significant anniversaries at each, but none bigger than this—100 years is an amazing accomplishment. There aren’t too many other Canadian publications with such longevity. And fewer still going so strong (Legion’s circulation is growing).
What began as The Legionary in May 1926 as the “Official Organ of The Canadian Legion of the British Empire Services League,” eventually (in 1969) became Legion Magazine, dedicated to Canada’s military history. Of course, as much as some things have changed, many core elements have remained, perhaps most notably, covering important issues facing veterans.
That will continue. As will all the publication’s great work. The redesign is our tribute to its staying power. There will be no navel-gazing anniversary issue. Instead, watch for a forthcoming book featuring incredible First World War stories from our archives.
Even a history magazine needs to keep its spark.
The magazine’s evolution is exciting. And due. The last significant change to the design and content of Legion was introduced in 2016. Even a history magazine needs to keep its spark.
So, your favourite columns and departments remain, though with a new look and, in some cases, in different parts of the magazine. You’ll still find regular missives by renowned historian J.L. Granatstein (“The Historian,” formerly “Canada and the New Cold War”) toward the back of the book; there you’ll now read all the columns. The reader-favourite “On This Date” department remains near the front, but it’s joined there by mainstays “Heroes and Villains,” “Artifact” and “Humour Hunt.”
There are some new additions, too: a highlight Q&A interview (“The Briefing”) by staff writer Alex Bowers, an infographic department (“The Visual”), a regular guest-authored opinion column (“On Watch”), a punchy back-page department (“Exit Strategy”) and more.
Of course, the feature section will remain as compelling as always, covering a range of stories about Canada in conflict from pre-Confederation to modern day.
I hope, too, that you, our readers, will be as forthcoming as ever and share your opinions on the changes. The Legion Magazine team is thrilled with the work presented on these pages. Special kudos to senior designer Sophie Jalbert for her tireless efforts, under the guidance of art director Jennifer McGill, to reinvigorate how it looks.
It’s an honour to be shepherds of a 100-year-old media brand and to make it feel as alive as ever.
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