Defining Moments
Significant events in Canadian history since 1914
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World War 1
The Battle of Ypres
The battle of Ypres is a defining moment for Canada for two reasons:
- First being that in Canada's first major battle, chlorine gas was introduced.
- The Canadians stayed put with only urine-soaked cloths held to their faces while defending the front line that was left empty.
- The second reason this battle is considered a defining moment, is because the although the Canadians were sick, their Ross rifles were jammed, they held the line until the reinforcements came.
- The military achievement during this battle allowed for Canada to be known for its strength and determination.
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1920's
The Discovery of Insulin
The discovery of insulin is a defining moment for Canada because:
- It was created by Canadians and it benefits people all around the world.
- Two of the scientists, Banting and Macleod, won a Nobel Prize, which they shared with the other two partners.
- Insulin saved millions of lives, and continues to save millions of lives worldwide.
- Will always be remembered as "Canada's greatest medical innovation."
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Trudeau Era
The Abolition of the Death Penalty
The abolition of the death penalty is a defining moment for Canada because:
- As humans and Canadian citizens, and as stated in article 3 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, we have the right to life.
- This means that sentencing people to death, denies them that right.
- When Canada abolished the death penalty, we progressed as a whole country by not taking the rights away from people, even if they were criminals.
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Present Day
John Baird and Iraqi Deputy Minister looking at ISIS positions
The Fight against ISIS
I believe this is a defining moment for Canada because:
- it shows that Canada is advancing on the international stage.
- The Canadian government is training on land which is different.
- Canada is strong and independent militarily, that it has the willpower to go against a terrorist group like ISIS.
- I believe it’s also a defining moment because we are trying our best to fight terrorism and do our parts as citizens and humans of the world.
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Canada is a country that is still progressing, even today, but has many defining moments and will most likely have more in the future too. The four significant moments I chose for Canada are only small pieces of history but are moments that have contributed to our society and the world. Pierre Trudeau passing Bill C-84, and abolishing the death penalty changed the lives of many people on death row, and the discovery of insulin saved the lives of hundreds of thousands of diabetic patients. Although many lost their lives during the Battle of Ypres, it was a step forward in helping and being recognized on the international stage as were are today, 100 years later, fighting against ISIS to help people in other parts of the world. We are a country who wants to make a positive local and global impact, whether through medicine or military achievement, and that is what the world knows us as and hopefully will continue to know us as in the future.