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Eastdale History: Canada's Defining Moments
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Alaska Boundary Dispute
This dispute was between USA and Canada over who would get the Alaskan an handle (islands along the BC coast). The problem was settled in 1903 by an impartial international tribunal, there were 3 American judges, 2 Canadian, and one Brit). There was a brit representing Canada because Canada was still a British colony. The British judge sided with the Americans.
Strong anti-British feeling erupted in Canada. This issue divided French & English speaking Canadians. -
Empress of Ireland
The Empress of Ireland was struck while steaming on the St. Lawrence river, by the Norwegian coalers S.S. Surstad. Reasons for the collision were mainly the fact that the Empress had slowed down due to thick fog. The ship was critacally damaged, it took on water, rolled over and sank in 14 minites. 1012 passengers and crew died, making it the deadliest maritime disaster in Canadian history. -
Battle of Vimy Ridge
-Vimy ridge was fought between April 9-14 1917. Both the British and the french had previously tried to take the 7km ridge but failed. The task was given to the Canadians. It was the first time all four Canadian divisions fought together as a unit. The Canadins carefully planned and rehearsed the attack.
At 5:30 am April 9th, 15 000 Canadians went over the top, 3598 died ad 7000 wounded. Canada had done what the British and french couldnt. -
Conscription Crisis of WW1
During WW1, Britain was pressuring Canadian PM Robert Borden to send more troops to help Britain in the war. In 1917 Borden enacted conscription with the military service act. The country became divided over the issue. Quebecers did not suport a British war. Conscription became the main issue in the 1917 election, Borden gave vote to women related to those in the military. English Canadians carried him back into office. -
The Winnipeg General Strike
On May 15, 1919, 24,000 organized and unorganized workers in Winnipeg walked off the job. Another 6,000 would soon join them. It was the start of the largest strike in Canadian history, and political leaders at all levels were quick to act. Parliament amended the Immigration Act so British-born immigrants could be deported, and expanded the definition of sedition. -
Discovery of Insulin
Before the discovery of insulin, diabetes was a feared disease that most certainly led to death. In October 1920 in Toronto, Dr. Frederick Banting, came up with the idea that the pancreas from dogs could make a serum to treat diabetes. The extract was injected into a diabetic dog, and it seemed healthier and stronger. In January 1922 a 14-year-old diabetic boy, Leonard Thompson, was the first person to receive insulin, and it worked. Insulin is one of the biggest discoveries in medine. -
The Halibut Treaty
The Halibut Treaty was a 1923 Canadian-American agreement concerning fishing rights in the northern Pacific Ocean. King said that only the reprentatives from Canada and the U.S. should sign the treaty because Britain used to sign it on behalf of Canada. Canada won the right to sign treaties on its own. This was one of many events that happened that led to complete autonomy. Canada gained complete autonomy by 1931. -
The Persons Case
Women were not always considered "persons" in the legal sense of the term. To clarify the definition of the term a group of women, called the Alberta five, appealed to the Supreme Court of Canada and as a result, obtained rights similar to those of men. And so it came to pass that in 1929, women acquired the right to exercise official functions, to attend university, and to practice a liberal trade. -
Black Tuesday
After WW1 Canada's economy was improving at a very fast pace. It was risng because everyone was buying more for reasons such as keeping up with the Joneses. But on October 29th, 1929 the stock markets dropped dramatically up to 35%, jobs were lost, this day was called Black Tuesday. This happened cause people were buying on margin and could not pay the banks back, and cause people just stopped buying. It took almost 10 years until we started to pull out of the depresion. -
Statute of Westminister is signed
The statute of Westminister is a a British law clarifying the powers of Canada's Parliament and those of the other Dominions. when this was signed all of Britains colonies were granted independance except those that chose not to. After this we no longer followed there laws and we made our own charter of rights. Even though we still need a representative from Britain to sign all our bills into laws, we were from then on fully responsible for making all our laws independantly. -
World War Two
The Second World War officially began on September 1, 1939, with the German invasion of Poland. Britain and France declared war on the Nazi Third Reich on September 3, 1939. Seven days later, on September 10, 1939, the Parliament of Canada likewise declared war on Germany, the country's first independent declaration of war and the beginning of Canada's participation in the bloodiest and most brutal conflict in history. -
The Richard riot
Maurice Richard was a hockey player for the Montreal Canadins in 1955. On March 13, 1955, Maurice Richard punched out a linesman. He was suspended for the rest of the season and the playoffs. The commisioner of the NHL attended a Canadians game on March 15th, he was pelted with garbage throughout the game. He called the game after tear gas was launched at him.
Riot ensued in the streets afterwards. It happened during the quiet revolution where Quebec felt they had to protect its heritage. -
Pierre Trudeau becomes Prime Minister
In 1968 a wave of "Trudeaumania" swept Canada. After winning leadership of the Liberal Party in April 1968, Trudeau called an election, won.
he made many important changes such as: Official Languages Act, 1969 Implementation of War Measure Act, 1970 ("Just watch me") Wage and Price controls, 1975 appointed first woman Speaker of the House 1980 Canadian Charter of Rights, 1982 Over 16 years with Trudeau as PM, Canada's debt rose by 1,200% from $17 billion to more than $200 billion. -
Blizzard of 1977
The winter of 1976-77 was one of the harshest on record over the Great Lakes. Along came the worst winter storm the 20th century had scene. In Welland Ontario the storm lasted for 3 days, created snowdrifts that buried houses, stranded thousands of people, and claimed about 30 lives. 10:30 am, the front hit Niagara.. winds shifted and increased to 70 km/h with gusts of 100 to 120 km/h. Temperatures -4C to a frigid -18C sending windchills to the -40C range. The great Blizzard had started... -
Terry Fox Marathon of Hope
Terry Fox was a long distance runner who lost his leg to cancer, and he decided to run across Canada in order to raise money for cancer research. He started in St. Johns NFLD in April 1980. By the time he reached Ontario the Country was following his progress. On september 1,1980 cancer returned and spread to his lungs. He stopped after 143 days and 5280 km. He had raised $1.7 million. Since then the annual Terry Fox run has raised $500 million dollars. -
1980 Referedum
On May 20th 1980 the citiens of Quebec were asked whether they wanted to pursue independance. Tudeau was re-elected in Ottawa and promised to re-negotiate the constituton if people voted no. People thought the yes side would win at one point. 59.5% voted no. 40.5% voted yes.
This is important in Canadian History because there was a pretty good chance the province of Quebec would leave Canada. -
Meech Lake Accord
In 1987, Canadian Prime Minister Brian Mulroney got the provinces together in order to convince Quebec to sign the constitution. The agreement was called the Meechlake accord. There was a new clause that was to be added to the charter that stated that Quebec is a distinct society. In order for the MLA to come into effect all the provinces and the federal government had to pass it within three years. A change in government in Newfoundland caused reversal on the agreement. -
NAFTA
In January 1994, Canada, the United States and Mexico launched the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) and formed the world's largest free trade area. The Agreement has brought economic growth and rising standards of living for people in all three countries. In addition, NAFTA has established a strong foundation for future growth and has set a valuable example of the benefits of trade liberalization. -
I Was Born
On this date Jonathan Yacyk-Martin was born. This is significant to Canadian History because he is going to be one of Canadas most famous and successful guitarist in the future. Every where he goes people are swept by a wave of yacykmania. -
Referendm
On October 30, 1995 another referendum on Quebec sovereignty took place. There was a massive unity rally where over 150 000 people met in montreal before the vote. The no side won again but by a very narrow margin of 49.42% "Yes" to 50.58% "No".
