Thursday, 9 June 2011
1967 International and Universal Exposition
Expo '67 was held from April 27th to October 29th 1967, it was a world fair where nations would come to Montreal to show off there culture, what there country is like, there achievements and even some of there artwork . It was the biggest fair in the world, it set the record for most attendences on its third day, 569,000 people visited the fair and also 62 nations were involved with the fair. Over 50 million people from around the world came to the event, the planners of the project did not expect for its over populated attendence. The opening ceremony was invitation only and Prime Minister Pearson kicked off the event by lighting the Expo Flame. 7,000 people, media and reporters attended the opening ceremony and it was broadcasted on live television in colour (which was a big deal back then). The theme of the Expo was Internationalism, it was very important and represented the nations sharing their cultures. The Soviet Union pavillion was attended by 13 million people and was one of the highest pavillions visited, Canadas pavillion had 11 million visiters. The Expo ended on October 29th with blowing out the flame and fireworks going off as all the machines and rides got shut down. To this day some of the buildings from the Expo are still there in Montreal and are in use, they left them there to show off that the Expo has been there. I think that Expo '67 was a very proud moment in Canada because it brought nations from all over the world to come together and learn about eachothers cultures.
Video on Expo '67
Wednesday, 8 June 2011
The Confederation Act
The Confederation Act was when three colonies owned by the british became into 4 provinces in Canada. Two of the British colonies became into 2 Canadian provinces, now known as Nova Scotia and New Brunswick and the other British colony divided into Ontario and Quebec. I think this is a proud moment because this how Canada became what it is and if it weren't for the confederation act then there wouldnt really be Canada today! What influenced the Confederation Act was the railroad that would improve trade across the country, military movement and moving goods. The Confederation Act would also improve the economic development of the colonies and it would also cancel the Canadian-American Reciprocity Treaty. There were many attempts of Confederation in the past, Lord Durham re-created the idea in 1839, in his report on the affairs of British north America and eventually the Confederation Act was passed on July 1st 1867. I think this was a great idea and a very proud moment to Canada today, it has inspired the colonies to come together as one.
Klondike Gold Rush
The Klondike Gold Rush (also known as the Yukon Gold rush) was discovered in 1896 on Bonanza Creek. Some witnesses claim it was Kate Carmack who made the discovery but the claim was made under George Carmacks name. Many other mining areas in the Yukon river valley were discovered after that like Eldorado and Hunker Creeks. The news of the discovery was heard from people all over the American and European areas and soon enough many travellers were headed there way, Many of them took steamboats, trains and hiked all the way to the mine. The population grew rapidly and just over 2 years there were 30,000 people, it was bigger then Victorias population. But soon enough the gold rush came to an end when a discovery of gold was made in Alaska in 1899. This was a very important moment in Canada because it was one of the first Gold rushes in Canada and it also changed some people lives.
Tuesday, 7 June 2011
The Canadian Pacific Railway
The Canadian Pacific Railway was founded in 1881, it took nearly five years to build the railway. The railway is 22,500 kilometers from Montreal to Vancouver and also into the united states. Prime Minister Sir John A. Mcdonald of the Consevative government took over the idea of the railway to join in on the confederation of Canada. Over 2,000 men worked to help build the railroad. In 1883 the railway was in danger of running out of money to build the railway. but on January 31, 1884, the government passed the "Railway Relief Bill" giving another $22.5 million in loans to the CPR. Chinese workers were paid as little as 75 cents to $1.25 a day, they worked with explosives and many other dangerous jobs in very poor conditions. Family members didnt even recieve notification if there loved ones were lost or killed buiding the railway,There were boys as yound as the age of twelve who were hired to serve tea. The last spike was put in the railroad in Craigellachie Birtish Columbia on November 7th 1885. On May 23, 1887 the first train arrived in Vancouver! This is a very proud but also not so proud in Canada, it is proud because we created a way to communicate and travel all across Canada but also not so proud to the fact of how the workers were treated while building the railway but in 2006 the Government of Canada made a apology to the Chinese people in Canada for treating them harshly during that time.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OJobZQk5p70
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OJobZQk5p70
Terry Fox
Terry Fox was born on July 28 1958 in Winnipeg, Manitoba but was Raised in Port Coquitlam, British Columbia. He was diagnosed with osteogenic sarcoma (bone cancer) at age 18, Terry was an athletic person his whole life so this didnt stop him at all, infact it inspired him. Terry started the marathon of hope, it began on April 12th 1980. His goal was to run across Canada to raise money for cancer research. He ran 5,373 kilometers and raised nearly 1.7 billion dollars before having to end his marathon due to the cancer spreading to his lungs. Terry Fox died on June 28th 1981 (age 22), even though never finishing the race, running across Canada was his way to show the world that he was not going out with out a fight. Till this day Canada still honours Terry Fox every year by walking around communitys and cities to raise money for cancer research and in memory of his great achievement. Terry Fox was not just a person he was a hero to many people across Canada and thats why i think that this is such an important moment to us.
Vancouver Olympics 2010
During the Vancouver Olympics, The 2010 olympics started on February 12 2010, there were over 80 countries and over 5,500 athletes that particpated in the winter games. Hockey, Skating, Curling, Snowboarding, Skiing and many more sports were played during this 17 day long event. Not only did the Canadian mens hockey team win the gold medal but so did the women, Canada set the record for winning the most gold medals in a single winter game! These were very proud moments in Canada because everyone in Canada was supporting them and it is even better to say that we did it on home ice. Over 3 billion televison viewers worldwide watched the Olympics. Downtown Vancouver was a hot spot for tourists and anyone who came to join to support the olympics. The Olymics closing ceremony was on February 28th 2010 where many celebrities and special guests came to join in supporting the athletes. The Vancouver 2010 Olympics was a very special time not only just in Canada but around the world!
Vancouver Olympics 2010 theme song "I Believe"-Nikki Yanofsky
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