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Atomic Bomb Dropped on Nagasaki
The second atomic bomb dropped by the U.S was dropped on Nagasaki, Japan. It was nicknamed 'Fat Man' due to its destructive power. This bomb was dropped to make Japan surrender. It was successful; Japan surrendered within days after the attack. The bomb was dropped 3 days after an atomic bomb was dropped on Hiroshima. There were many reasons for the bombings, and a big one was the States showing its power to the Soviet Union during the Cold War. ("The Bombing of Nagasaki") -
Hitler's Death
Adolf Hitler had recieved news that Berlin was about to be lost to the Russians and that troops wouldn't fight that night due to low ammunition. He heard that Benito Mussolini (talian P.M) had been shot and hung upside down in Italy. Hitler and his wife commited suicide together.("The Death of Adolf Hitler"). They were married for 40 hours before they died. Hitler was afraid of the consequences he'd have to face when Germany surrendered so he ended his life. ("How Did Hitler Die?") -
Atomic Bomb Dropped on Hiroshima
U.S.A became the first nation to create and drop an atomic bomb when this incident occured. Albert Einstein had warned the U.S that Nazi Germany was researching nuclear weapons. This bomb, nicknamed 'Little Boy' was dropped on Hiroshima Aug. 6 and immediately killed 80 00 civilians. Thousands more died from radiation poisoning in the next few weeks. This bombing also showed the U.S' power to Russia during the Cold War. ("Atomic Bomb Dropped on Hiroshima") -
Korean War
The war began when 75 000 soldiers from North Korea invaded South Korea. The Soviets established a communist regime in North Korea while in South Korea, the U.S was the main source for military and financial support. US fought with South Korea. When South Korean and U.S amries charged into North Korea, communist Chinese forces had a massive intervention in the late 50's. In 1953 the U.S & North Korea signed a cease-fire and this war became the first hot spot of the Cold War.("Korean War Begins") -
Sputnik
On this day, the Soviet Union had successfully launched Sputnik 1, the world's first artificial satellite. It was about the size of a beach ball and took about 98 minutes to orbit the Earth on it's elliptical path. That day marked the start of the Space Age and the space race between the U.S and the Soviet Union. Sputnik was a huge advancement in technology that caught the world's attention and American's offgaurd. ("Sputnik and the Dawn of the Space Age.") -
Status Indians Given Right to Vote
Before 1960, Indians living on reserves couldn't vote unless they gave up their status.("Elections Canada marks 50 Years of Voting Rights for all First Nations Members")Deifenbaker's government granted the First Nations their voting rights.Not all Aboriginals wanted to vote;they saw it as another way to assimilate their culture.As a child, Diefenbaker met many First Nations children and he wanted them to have equal rights, so he gave them the right to vote.("Aboriginal People and the Franchise") -
The Munsinger Affair
Gerda Munsinger, an East German prostitute who was also a Soviet spy lived in Ottawa and became intimately involved with 2 cabinet members under Diefenbaker's government. ("The Munsinger Affair"). The RCMP warned Justice Minister Davie Fulton that she was a prostitute and a security risk. Munsinger was deported back to Germany in 1961. March 4 1966, Lucien Cardin raised her name in the Commons and it became Canada's first major sex scandal. ("Munsinger Affair") -
JFK Assassinated
American President John F. Kennedy was assassinated while riding in a motorcade in Dallas, Texas. During elections, JFK stressed the importance of winning Florida and Texas, so he and his wife travelled to both states. A small group of extremists in Texas were creating political tensions that will make their presence felt in Dallas. While riding in a plaza, there was gunfire and JFK was shot in the neck. He died half an hour later. ("November 22,1963:Death of the President") -
A New Canadian Flag
In 1964, P.M Lester B. Pearson made creating a new flag a priority. In October 1964, the Special Committee on a Canadian Flag presented a single-leaf red and white design to parliament. The Senate approved on Dec 15 1964 and on Jan 28 1965, the Queen proclaimed the flag to take effect Feb 15, 1965.("Birth of the National Flag of Canada") The official ceremony inagurating the new Canadian flag took place Feb 15, 1965, on Parliament Hill. ("The National Flag of Canada") -
Bill C-150
June 1969, Bill C-150 was passed in parliament, At the time, Pierre Trudeau was Canada's Justice Minister and introduced the law. This law decriminalized homosexuality and conraception/abortion. "There's no place for the state in the bedrooms of the nation," said Trudeau. As Justice Minister, he defended the sexual practices of Canadians, and made Canada a safer place for homosexuals. ("The State in the Bedroom: The Evolution of Reproductive Rights in Canada") -
Candian Multiculturalism Act
In 1971, Canada became the first country to adopt multiculturalism as an official policy. This act also confirmed the rights of Canadian Aboriginals.("Candian Multiculturalism: An Inclusive Citizenship") Trudeau and his government declared Multiculturalism to protect and promote diversity, to recognize Aboriginal rights and to support the use of Canada's 2 official languages. ("Multiculturalism") -
Marathon of Hope
April 12, 1980, Terry Fox started his Marathon of Hope. He dipped his prosthetic leg into the Atlantic Ocean and began running across Canada. Terry Fox had his leg amputated in 1977 due to a malignant tumour in his right leg. The night before his amputation, he read about an amputee runner and was inspired by him. The Marathon of Hope was a cross-Canada run to raise money for cancer awareness and research. Terry ran at an average of 26 miles a day through 6 provinces.("Terry Fox Foundation")
