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Prime Minister Robert Borden announces that Canada has joined Britain in the war against the axis. Canadians, of all ages, eagerly line up to enlist to fight the enemy overseas. -
During the second battle of Ypres, Canada proved itself to have perseverance as they held a strategically critical section of the front line. Six Kilometers of the trench were wiped out after the Central Power released the, "first large scale gas attack in modern history." They held their place for days until reinforcements arrived. Over 6500 Canadians were either killed or wounded.
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For the first time in battle, all four quadrants of the Canadian military fought as one unit against the German army. Both the French and British troops had tried and failed to capture the ridge over the span of the war, making the Canadian victory even more impressive. It is known, to this day, as the bloodiest day in Canadian Military history, with over 10,000 injured and/or killed. Brigadier-General A.E. Ross stated, after the war, “in those few minutes I witnessed the birth of a nation.”
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Now years into the war, enthusiasm is depleting as the men at home hear news of the casualties overseas. During this time Borden promised 500,000 men to the allies by the end of the year. In order to keep his promise, he enacts a conscription bill forcing all men of a certain age to report for duties and fight for their country. This deepens the rift between the British Canadians and French Canadians, the latter of which whom don't support the act because they think this is a "British War." -
On the morning of December 6, 1917, the French ship Mont-Blanc, which was carrying explosives for the Allies in Europe, collided with the Imo, a Norwegian grain ship, on its way to Belgium. The Mont Blanc, caught fire and exploded soon after. 1,782 lives were lost that day and it took Halifax years to rebuild. -
On November 11 the war has officially ended with the signing of the Treaty of Versailles. Prime Minister Robert Borden insisted on signing the Treaty separately from Britain, taking a major leap to Canada's independence. After the war, Canada was respected worldwide. -
Sir Frederick G Banting, with the help of John McLeod, discovered insulin at the University of Toronto. They were both awarded the Nobel Prize for Medicine in 1923, for this accomplishment. Both men shared their prize money with their respective assistants, Charles Best and James Collip. Although not a cure for Diabetes, insulin prolonged the life expectancy for those diagnosed with Diabetes and significantly reduced its debilitating effects which include blindness, nerve and kidney damage. -
During the 1921 election, Agnes MacPhail was the first woman to be elected into the Canadian Parliament. MacPhail sat in the House of Commons from 1921-1940, later becoming the first woman to be elected to the Ontario legislature. MacPhail was a known pacifist and fought for prison reform and equal pay. -
In this bill, Britain declares that all of its Dominions are equal, and gives all legal power to our Prime Minister. It is a fundamental document towards our independence. -
On October 24, 1929, commonly referred to as "Black Tuesday", North America experienced the most devastating stock market crash recorded in history. This was the start of the Great Depression, which had a significantly negative effect on Canada's economy through the next decade.
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