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V-E Day
V-E Day, known as Victory in Europe Day, commemorates the day when the Allied Forces formally accepted the surrender of Nazi Germany. This signified the end of Hitler's Third Reich and Nazi Germany. As Germany formally surrendered, Canada finished liberating Holland from Nazi occupation. -
V-J Day
V-J Day, known as Victory over Japan Day, marked the day that Japan officially surrendered to the Allied Forces. This occured after the atomic bombing of Japanese cities Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Throughout the course of the war in the Pacific Theatre, sixty Canadian naval ships and approximately eighty thousand Canadian soldiers volunteered to fight. -
The Inception of the United Nations
On April 25, 1945, the United Nations Conference on International Organization began in San Francisco. Talks began between fifty nations, including Canada, to draft a charter regarding international organization. Finally, after the charter was approved by a majority of fifty nations, the United Nations was officially formed. This occured on October 24 1945. At the time, Canada was a major nation that was involved in the formation of the United Nations; to this day Canada is. -
John Humphrey Writes the First Draft of the UN's Declaration of Human Rights
John Humphrey, a Canadian professor and human rights advocate, was appointed as the first director of the United Nations Division of Human Rights. As a director, Humphrey played a pivotal role in the drafting of the Declaration of Human Rights, which was passed on December 10, 1948. -
Creation of NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization)
Spurred by the Treaty of Brussels and the creation of the Soviet Blockade, talks to begin a military alliance to counteract the growing power of the USSR began. This military alliance led to the North Atlantic treaty, signed by Belgium, Netherlands, Luxembourg, France, United Kingdom, Portugal, Italy, Norway, Denmark, Iceland, the United States, and Canada. -
Communist Government Takes Control of China
The Communist Party of China, after twenty three years of the Chinese Civil War, finally established control over mainland China and established the People's Republic of China. Led by Mao Zedong, the People's Republic of China instilled Communist values throughout China. -
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The Korean War
The Korean War occured between the Republic of Korea and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. The Democratic People's Republic of Korea, supported by both China and the USSR, wanted to spread communism throughout Korea. The Republic of Korea, as a democratic government, fought against the spread of communism. With support of America and additional nations under the United Nations, including Canada, the Republic of Korea repelled the spread of communism. -
Creation of the Warsaw Pact
In response to the integration of NATO, the USSR established the Warsaw Pact, signed between the USSR, Romania, Poland, Hungary, Germany, Czechoslovkia, Bulgaria, and Albania. Each nation pledged for mutual defense between each other if they were to be attacked. -
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Vietnam War
The Vietnam War was fought between communist North Vietnam and republican South Vietnam. Supported by communist countries, North Vietnam sought to spread communism throughout Vietnam while South Vietnam tried to resist it with the help from anti-communist countries. Canada did not participate in the Vietnam War, instead constituting the International Control Commission with India and Poland; it was supposed to monitor a 1954 ceasefire agreement. -
Lester B. Pearson Diffusues the Suez Crisis
Lester B. Pearson, the Secretary of External Affairs of Canada, organized the United Nations Emergency Force to resolve the Suez Crisis. The United Nations Emergency Force was pivotal in ensuring that the Suez Crisis ended peacefully. For his efforts, Lester B. Pearson won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1957. -
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Congo Crisis
The Congo Crisis occured in the Republic of Congo; it started with national independence from Belgium. Due to a lack of native military officers, Belgians eventually invaded Congo to ensure civilian safety, and it led to total war. The United Nations sent their forces to keep the peace--Canadians were amongst the bunch included. -
Berlin Wall is Erected
The Berlin Wall was a barrier that the German Democratic Republic built to separate West Berlin from East Germany and East Berlin. Canada, along with other nations, established a "Berlin airlift" where West Berlin was supplied with food and other supplies. -
Cuban Missle Crisis
After American spy planes took photos of Soviet nuclear missles stationed in Cuba, President John F. Kennedy ordered a blockade of Soviet ships heading to Cuba. As fears of nuclear war were rising, negotiations between John F. Kennedy and Nikita Kruschev eventually dissolved the Cuban Missle Crisis. The Canadian Prime Minister, alongside leaders of numerous nations, supported America's proposed decision to declare war had the Soviets launched their nuclear missles. -
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United Nations Occupation in Cyprus
To prevent further fighting between Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot communities, the United Nations sent in a peacekeeping force. This peacekeeping force has been stationed in Cyprus ever since, and Canadian soldiers are included in the peacekeeping contingent. -
Canada-United States Automotive Products Agreement
A trade agreement between Canada and the United States, the Auto Pact removed tariffs on cars, trucks, buses, tires, and automotive parts between the two countries. Canada was guaranteed constant automotive production from General Motors, Chrysler, and Ford. -
Establishment of the Foreign Investment Review Agency
To ensure that foreign acquisition and establishment of businesses was beneficial to Canada, Pierre Trudeau established the Foreign Investment Review Agency, or FIRA. -
USSR Invades Afghanistan
The USSR invaded Afghanistan to support the Marxist government of the Democratic Republic of Afghanistan, while at the same time to fight against the rising Afghan Mujahideen guerilla movement. Taking place over a span of nine years, the Soviets were unsuccessful and withdrew from Afghanistan in 1989. Canada funded and supported the muhajideen guerilla fighters. -
Berlin Wall is Torn Down
As freedom increased in the communist states of Eastern and Central Europe, many called for the deconstruction of the Berlin Wall. Citizens from both East and West Germany began to tear at the wall, slowly tearing it down using tools such as hammers. At first, German guards attempted to repair the damage made by the citizens. Finally, on October 3 1990 the Berlin Wall finally fell. -
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Yugoslav Wars
The Yugoslav Wars were a series of conflicts in Yugoslavia over territory and the desire for self-determination. A recurring theme in the Yugoslav Wars was fighting between peoples of varying ethnic backgrounds. General Louis Mackenzie, commander of UN forces, sent in forces to try and ensure peace. Again, Canadian solders were the constituents of this peacemaking force. -
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The Gulf War; Operation Desert Storm
The Gulf War was a war initiated by the United Nations against the Saddam Hussein-led Iraq. The United Nations fought for the annexation of Iraq from Kuwait, and after the combined efforts of thirty four nations, Iraq was finally forced to leave Kuwait. -
Signing of the North American Free Trade Agreement
The North American Free Trade Agreement, or NAFTA, was signed by the governments of Canada, Mexico, and the United States. It established a trading relationship between the three countries.
