Canadian flag

Canadian History (1950 - 2000)

  • Korean War

    Korean War
    Canadians participated in the Korean War to fight communist forces. More than 500 Canadians died. It proved Canada's dedication to fighting against possible threats.
  • Edmonton Oil Pipeline

    Edmonton Oil Pipeline
    The oil pipeline from Edmonton to the Great Lakes was completed which linked Canada’s gas fields with the markets of central Canada. Eventually, Canada was able to stop importing from the United States and instead rely on Canadian produced gas. It contributed to Canada's ever-growing independence.
  • Sixties Scoop

    Sixties Scoop
    Over 20 000 First Nation, Metis, and Inuit children were taken from their homes and adopted into predominantly non-Indigenouse families which left many adoptees with a lost sense of cultural identity. A dark period in Canada's history that Canadians are still apologizing for today.
  • Last British-Appointed Governor

    Last British-Appointed Governor
    Canada said goodbye to it's last British-appointed governor and turned the office into a figurehead position to be filled by Canadian citizens. Canada grew more independent by further limiting Britain's influence over them.
  • War Over Suez Canal

    War Over Suez Canal
    War erupted over control of the Suez Canal in Egypt and Canadian diplomat Lester Pearson created the first United Nations peacekeeping force. This event, and Canada's reaction, proved that Canada was dedicated to peacekeeping across the world.
  • St Lawrence Seaway

    St Lawrence Seaway
    The St Lawrence Seaway was opened to commercial shipping and provided transportation for ocean going vessels from Lake Superior to Montreal. Allowed for Canadians to transport goods to other parts of Canada as well as boost the economy.
  • Right to Vote for Indigenous People

    Right to Vote for Indigenous People
    First Nations Peoples received the right to vote without having to surrender their Indian status or treaty rights. This event began to repair the damaged relationship between the First Nations People of Canada and Canadians.
  • Canadian Bill of Rights

    Canadian Bill of Rights
    The Canadian Bill of Rights was approved which obliged the federal government to guarantee civil rights and freedoms to all Canadians.
  • Quiet Revolution

    Quiet Revolution
    Quebec became more industrialized and became more and more fond of the idea of a separate Quebec. French-Canadians started the Quiet Revolution to become an independent country.
  • Vietnam War

    Vietnam War
    Canada refused to participate in the Vietnam War which earned Canadians a reputation for caution and restraint. This event showed that Canadians wouldn't just jump into any war.
  • New Canadian Flag

    New Canadian Flag
    A new Canadian flag was created. The Union Jack was lowered from Canada’s Parliament and the new Canadian flag, the Maple Leaf, was adopted in its place. By not using the Union Jack, Canada proved that they were their own country,
  • Pierre Trudeau

    Pierre Trudeau
    Pierre Trudeau, a French-Canadian, is elected as Prime Minister and worked to protect Quebec’s French language and culture. Eventually goes on to bridge the gap between French and English Canadians, motivating Quebec to stay apart of Canada.
  • Anik A-1 & Anik A-2

    Anik A-1 & Anik A-2
    Canada launched the world’s first geostationary domestic satellite, Anik A-1, in 1972. In 1973, the telecommunications satellite, Anik A-2 was launched and Canada became the first country to employ satellites for domestic communications.
  • Summer Olympics

    Summer Olympics
    Montreal becomes the first Canadian city to host the Summer Olympics and proved that Canada is capable of hosting a global sporting event.
  • Terry Fox

    Terry Fox
    Terry Fox began his Marathon of Hope to raise money for cancer research and to spread awareness on the issue. In days, the marathon had raised over $10 million.
  • Toronto Protest

    Toronto Protest
    After four Toronto bathhouse were raided by police, Toronto’s gay community marches through the city to protest police brutality. This was a turning point in the fight for LGBTQ+ rights and it inspired Pride celebrations across the country.
  • Charter of Rights and Freedoms

    Charter of Rights and Freedoms
    Pierre Trudeau’s new constitution contained a Charter of Rights and Freedoms that gave basic civil rights to all Canadians, including freedom of speech, religion, and movement. Canada was declared a bilingual nation where citizens had the right to speak either French or English.
  • Free Trade Agreement

    Free Trade Agreement
    The Free Trade Agreement between Canada and the United States went into effect and later expanded through NAFTA which changed the economic relationship between Canada and the United States.
  • Last Residential School Closed

    Last Residential School Closed
    The last residential school closes in Canada. 150 000 First Nation, Metis, and Inuit children attended residential schools. Many of them were mentally, spiritually, physically and sexually abused in the schools. A step toward mending the relationship between Canadians and the First Nations People.
  • Nunavut

    Nunavut
    Nunavut becomes Canada’s newest territory. It was the result of negotiations to settle land claims and establish self-governance for the region’s Inuit population.