-
Victory in Europe day
On May 8th 1945, Nazi Germany was halted and didn't exist after this day. The terrible treatment of all races not part of Hitler's master race was put to a stop. Germany and other places where concentration and extermination camps were set up, rejoiced. This day marks a historical moment for Germany and is a day that is looked back on, marking the end of the horrific treatment based on religion, race, sexual orientation and ability. -
Newfoundland joins Canada
On the 31st of March in 1949, Newfoundland joined the Canadian Confederation. This making it the tenth province to join Confederation. Before joining Confederation, a referendum was conducted allowing Newfoundlanders to decide whether or not they wanted Confederation. 41% of the population was for Confederation, 44.6% wanted a responsible government and 14% was in favor of continued rule by Britain. Majority rules and Newfoundland joined Confederation. -
Rosa Parks arrested
Rosa Parks was arrested on this day for refusing to give up her seat on a bus to a white man, in the white passenger section. She is referred to as the 'mother of the freedom movement'. This act and many others after this fueled the civil rights movement that fighted for the freedom of black people. -
To Kill A Mockingbird published
On this day To Kill A Mockingbird written by Harper Lee was published. This book takes place in the fictional Maycomb County in Alabama. It deals with racial and social injustice along with friendship, maturation and childhood innocence. This book stirred great controversey as it addresssed big issues that the southern United States was dealing with. The novel is a renowned piece of classic literature taught in many high schools today. -
Dad's birthday
My father was born on this day. Without the birth of my father, my brother and I would not be alive today. My father eventually immigrated to Canada in 1992. -
Mom's birthday
On this day my mother was born in a small city in Sri Lanka. If she wasn't born me and my brother would not be alive. She eventually immigrated to Canada in 1989 and met my father a few years later. -
Martin Luther King Jr Assassinated
On this day Martin Luther King Jr was assassinated by James Earl Ray on the second-floor balcony of the Lorraine Motel in Memphis, Tennessee. The assassination led to nationwide race riots in places like Kansas City, Washington D.C and Baltimore. Days after Martin Luther Kings Jr's assassination, Congress passed the Civil Rights Act of 1968 which prohibited discrimination against race and religion. -
Pierre Trudeau elected
Pierre Trudeau was elected on this day as Canada's 15th prime minsister. He created the Official Languages Act of 1969. This act allowed French and English to be Canada's national languages. This meaning all government documents, signs , agencies were all delivered and written in both languages. -
First man on the moon
On this day Neil Armstrong walked the surface of the moon for the first time in the entirety of space travel. His famous words after he got off the LEM (Lunar Excursion Module); "That's one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind." are internationally recgonized. Neil Armstrong is known worldwide as the first man on the moon and many schools, streets and buildings were named after him. -
Public Order Temporary Measures Act
The Public Order Temporary Measures Act was reissued again on November 2nd of 1970. It was during the October Crisis and gave the government sweeping power to arrest anyone they thought could possibly be a threat. In this case it was issued and the government arrested anyone they thought was involved or part of the FLQ. -
Uncle's Immigration
My uncle was the first of my mother's sibilings to immigrate to Canada. He did so on the 2nd of February in 1975. He bought a cnvenience store later on to sustain life with proper income and support the rest of his siblings by sponsoring them. -
Québec passes Bill 101
On this day Québec passed Bill 101 which restricted the use of the English language. Government agencies used French only and they were now the only ones allowed in workplaces. As well as advertising and signs being in only French, this caused Anglophones to be enraged. They felt like their rights were trampled on. -
2nd Uncles immigration
On this day my mother's 2nd oldest brother immigrated to Canada from Germany. He immigrated from Germany because his older brother was already living in Canada and more of his sibilings were going to move here in the future, so he wanted to be closer to his family. -
Aunt's wedding
On this day my mom's oldest sister got married in Sri Lanka. 2 years later, my aunt and her husband immigrated to Canada and lived with my mom. -
Terry Fox passes away
Terry Fox, who had be battling cancer, died on this day. He wanted to raise money for cancer treatment so he decided to run across Canada, with a prosthetic leg. Terry Fox would call this the 'Marathon of Hope'. He passed away near Thunderbay and now there is a monument recgonizing his hardwork and effort in raising money for cancer treatment and research. Every september there is the Terry Fox run that occurs in schools acorss Canada; where students take a brisk jog to raise money.
