Charles de Gaulle exclaims “Vive le Quebec libre”

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 Quebec libre” ("Long live free Quebec!"). Prime Minister Lester B. Pearson was outraged and condemned the speech – the statement was seen as a sign of support for Quebec’s separatist movement.

Doug Griffin/Toronto Star

7/24/1967

Gelatin silver print, fibre-based paper

Still Image

Toronto Star