Canada's increasing independence on the world stage By William James Jan 1, 1800 Imperial Relations Jun 18, 1812 War of 1812 Jul 1, 1867 Canadian Confederation Oct 11, 1899 South African War Apr 9, 1917 Battle of Vimy Ridge. Mar 1, 1919 Winnipeg General Strike Jun 6, 1944 Juno Beach Raid Period: Jan 17, 1946 to Nov 9, 1991 The Cold War Mar 17, 1948 Creation of NATO Dec 10, 1957 L.B. Pearson Wins Nobel Prize Oct 13, 1967 Expo 67 Apr 17, 1982 Candian Charter of Rights and Freedoms Jan 1, 1994 NAFTA Period: Jan 17, 2001 to Jan 17, 2012 Post 9/11 Jan 17, 2012 Role of Economics