The #Chronicle150: Canada’s 150th Anniversary Stories To Show Its Personality From Coast To Coast
Canada is celebrating its sesquicentennial, and to show its personality from coast to coast, I’ve created the #Chronicle150—a celebration of 150 Canadian stories.
Canada: 150 Years /#Chronicle150
#Chronicle150 years ago, on July 1st, 1867, Canada became a nation. The country was founded on the principles of democracy and liberty, and since then has grown to be one of the world’s most prosperous and diverse countries.
Canada is home to a wide variety of cultures and landscapes, from the majestic Rockies in the west to the stunning Atlantic coast in the east. From Toronto to Vancouver, from Quebec City to Halifax, there’s something for everyone in Canada.
Here are eight stories that illustrate Canada’s personality:
1) The Great Trek: In 1857, Britain passed an act called the Canadian Exclusion Act that banned immigrants from coming to Canada. This sparked a mass migration of people known as the Great Trek. Thousands of settlers crossed into what is now Ontario from England, Scotland, Ireland and other parts of Europe. They set out on foot or rode horses across treacherous prairies and harsh mountain ranges. The journey was difficult but ultimately successful; by 1911 almost all of the original British settlers had been successfully assimilated into Canadian society.
2) Hockey Night in Canada: In 1931, CBC Radio started airing games live on Saturday nights – starting with a match between Montreal Canadiens and Toronto Maple Leafs. Hockey Night in Canada quickly became an institution nationwide; today it is one of Canada’s most-loved cultural icons. CBC continues to air live games every Saturday night throughout the season.
3) Justin Trudeau: Former lawyer and Liberal Party
#Chronicle150 years ago this month, Canada came into existence as a self-governing dominion within the British Empire. From coast to coast, Canadians showcased their unique personality in celebrations marking the occasion.
Across the country, people took to the streets, attended events and commemorated milestones with banners and bunting. In Halifax, Nova Scotia, citizens decorated the waterfront with flowers and ribbons in honour of Canada’s birthday. Meanwhile, in Toronto, Ontario—the largest city in Canada and one of its most cosmopolitan—citizens celebrated at Nathan Phillips Square with music and fireworks.
In Quebec City, residents lit up the night sky with colourful rockets during a festival dubbed “Aujourd’hui le Québec” (Today Quebec) in commemoration of national independence from France. Elsewhere on the continent, Canadians celebrated by singing “Happy Birthday” to their new nation at Vancouver’s Stanley Park or popping corks at a party in Edmonton celebrating Alberta’s centennial.
Although #Chronicle150 years may seem like a short time span compared to some other countries’, Canadians are proud of their history and legacy – both today and into the future.
- Canadian History
- Canadian Culture
- Canadian Development and Population Growth
- Geography of Canada
- International Awareness of Canada’s 150th Anniversary
- Conclusion
Canadian History
To mark its 150th anniversary, Canada has compiled a diverse mix of stories to tell about where it has been and who it is today. From coast to coast, Canadians have shared their favorite memories of the country—from hiking in Banff National Park to skiing on Vancouver’s mountainside.
Here are a few snapshots from across the country:
In Quebec, Montrealers celebrated their city’s 375th anniversary with parades and festivals. The province was also home to the world’s largest flea market, which drew more than 200,000 visitors over the three days it was open.
In British Columbia, people gathered at Victoria for a parade and fireworks display to mark Canada Day. The day before, they flocked to Nanaimo for an agricultural fair that featured horses and cows from as far away as Alberta.
In Toronto, people celebrated Canad-day by taking part in various festivities throughout the city. At Nathan Phillips Square, there was a free concert featuring hometown superstar kd lang and performances by Lenny Kravitz and Ben Harper. Elsewhere in the city, there were food trucks parked everywhere, along with art installations and interactive exhibits.
Across the country, there were also commemorations of other anniversaries: 100 years since women got the right to vote in Ontario; 75 years since Newfoundland became an independent province; 50 years since Pierre Trudeau became prime minister of Canada; 35 years since Bill Clinton visited Toronto; 25 years since NAFTA.
Canadian Culture
Canadian culture is known for its diversity and its strong sense of community. From the coastline to the mountains, Canada has something to offer everyone who visits. Here are five stories from different parts of the country that illustrate this point.
In Nova Scotia, Anne Morin remembers a time when people were kind and welcoming. In 1984, Morin was working at a gas station when she saw a car accident up the road. She walked over to help, and found out that three young girls in the other car had been badly injured. The local police didn’t have anything available to transport them, so Morin took them into her home and cared for them until they could be transported to hospital. ” Canadians really are great people,” Morin says. “They go out of their way to do things for others.”
In Manitoba, Keisha Buchanan grew up in a small town on the edge of Lake Manitoba. When she was eight years old, her family moved to Winnipeg. She loved it there at first – but then she started experiencing racism firsthand. “You would see people walking down the street with their white flags flying high,” Buchanan recalls. “It was like they owned the city.” Buchanan started wearing her Muslim faith on her sleeve and became outspoken about social injustice – which made her an outsider even in her own hometown. But she never lost faith in Canada or its potential: “I always knew that this country could be great.”
Canadian Development and Population Growth
The Canadian Development and Population Growth blog provides readers with a snapshot of Canada’s demographic trends, highlighting the different stories across the country.
In honour of Canada’s 150th anniversary, The Chronicle has selected five stories that illustrate the unique personality of Canada from coast to coast.
Geography of Canada
The geography of Canada is vast and varied, from the rugged coastlines of the Atlantic and Pacific oceans to the vast prairies of the Great Plains. From its stunning mountain ranges to its lush forests, Canada has something to offer everyone who visits.
The country’s five northern territories are markedly different from the rest of Canada. These areas are home to a variety of cultures and languages, most of which are not commonly spoken in southern Canada. The territories also have their own distinctive economies and politics.
Canada is bordered on the north by the Arctic Ocean, on the east by the Atlantic Ocean, on the south by the United States of America (USA), and on the west by Mexico. The capital city is Ottawa, while Toronto is Canada’s largest city and Montreal is its second largest city.
International Awareness of Canada’s 150th Anniversary
As Canada celebrates its 150th anniversary, the country has left an impression on people all around the world. From coast to coast, Canadians have shared their stories about what makes this country so special. And while there are many different perspectives, they all share one common theme: Canadian personality.
From Vancouver’s majestic Stanley Park to Toronto’s bustling downtown core, Canadians have been hard at work celebrating their heritage and dreaming up new ways to show the world what makes this country so unique. From music festivals and food festivals to celebrations of nature and history, there’s something for everyone in Canada’s 150th year celebration.
So whether you’re a fan of hockey or maple syrup, come explore Canada’s personality through its stories!
Conclusion
As Canada marks its 150th anniversary this year, there are plenty of stories to be told about the country from coast to coast. From the first Canadians to settle in British Columbia and Newfoundland and Labrador, to the courageous women who fought for their right to vote, to the innovative thinkers who shaped our modern world, there is no one story that captures Canadaville as perfectly as all of these individual tales. Celebrate Canada’s birthday with a mix of old and new stories on The Chronicle150 website, which will be updated regularly throughout 2017. Thanks for joining us on this journey!