June 20, 1854

The first Victoria Cross is awarded during the Crimean War.

Balaclava, Ukraine | British Army

Watercolor painting based depiction of The first Victoria Cross is awarded during the Crimean War. (1854)

The first Victoria Cross was not actually awarded during the Crimean War on June 20, 1854. The Victoria Cross, a prestigious British military decoration, was instituted after the Crimean War and first awarded during the conflict, but notably at a later date. The award was established on January 29, 1856, by Queen Victoria to honor acts of valor in the presence of the enemy. Therefore, there is no significant event tied to June 20, 1854, in relation to the awarding of the Victoria Cross. Instead, it was awarded retrospectively to individuals, with the first presentations made on June 26, 1857, in Hyde Park, London, based on actions performed during the Crimean War.

Source: en.wikipedia.org

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