Defining Moments of the 20th Century
Vimy Memorial, France
International Graphic Press, Inc.
July 26, 1936
The Canadian National Vimy Memorial, designed by Canadian sculptor Walter Allward, was erected in 1936 to commemorate the Canadian Expeditionary Force members killed during the First World War.
Many historians consider the Battle of Vimy Ridge as a defining moment in the development of Canadian nationhood
Marines raise the flag at Iwo Jima
Joe Rosenthal (1911-2006)
February 23, 1945
Photographer Joe Rosenthal won the Pulitzer Prize for Photography for this iconic image of the U.S. Marines raising the American flag on top of Mount Suribachi at Iwo Jima during the Second World War.
The image was used on the U.S. dollar in 1945.
Atomic bomb explosion, Bikini Island
U.S. Navy
July 1, 1946
On July 1st, 1946, the United States detonated the first atomic bomb during a time of peace at the Bikini Atoll in the Pacific Ocean.
The Bikini Atoll Nuclear Test site is now inscribed on the World Heritage list.
Children celebrate CANADA at Expo 67
Boris Spremo/Toronto Star
May 4, 1967
Children dressed in their everyday clothes parade on a windy day outside the Canadian pavilion at Expo 67 mixing up the lettering of the word, CANADA.
The photo recalls CA-NA-DA, Expo’s catchy theme song written by Bobby Gimby.
Charles de Gaulle exclaims « Vive le Québec libre »
Doug Griffin/Toronto Star
July 24, 1967
On a state visit to celebrate Canada’s centenary at Expo, French President Charles de Gaulle acknowledges the crowd from the balcony of Montreal’s city hall after exclaiming « Vive le Québec libre» ("Long live free Quebec!").
Prime Minister Lester B. Pearson condemned the speech, which became a watershed moment for the Quebec separatist movement.
Toronto mourns Rev. Martin Luther King
Barry Philp/Toronto Star
April 9, 1968
Over 20,000 Torontonians stand with bowed heads in Nathan Philips Square, mourning the death of civil rights activist Rev. Martin Luther King.
Oui
Boris Spremo/Toronto Star
1980
Patrick Turgeon wears the Parti Québécois’ “OUI” buttons to protect his eyes while sun tanning in Montreal.
The first Quebec referendum on succession from Canada took place on May 20, 1980. After a close and heated campaign, the Parti Québécois’ motion to pursue sovereignty was defeated.
Signing of the Proclamation of the Constitution Act
Ron Bull/ Toronto Star
April 17, 1982
Sunday Star
April 18, 1982
Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau and Queen Elizabeth II sign the Proclamation of the Constitution Act on Parliament Hill, Ottawa in 1982. The Constitution Act replaced the British North America Act of 1867 and transferred from the United Kingdom to Canada the right to amend its own Constitution. This moment marked the final step in the Canada’s transition from colony to independent nation.
Mohawk Warrior and Canadian Soldier at Oka
Peter Power/ Toronto Star
September 1, 1990
Mohawks near Oka, Quebec, protested against the expansion of a golf course and the development of condominiums on land they claimed belonged to the Kanesatake Reserve.
The RCMP and the Canadian armed forces were brought in to assist the Quebec police. On September 26 the heated 78-day Mohawk protest ended with the cancellation of the development.