From speaking notes of Hon. James Moore, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages, on announcing the new Museum of Canadian History.
'2012 has already been an eventful year for Canada. This year, we are celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Canadian Coast Guard, the 40th anniversary of Paul Henderson’s goal in the ’72 Summit Series, the 100th Grey Cup, the 100th Calgary Stampede, and the Bicentennial of the War of 1812.
Next year, we will recognize the 100th anniversary of Canada’s first Arctic Expedition.
In 2014, we will celebrate the 200th anniversary of Sir George Étienne Cartier’s birth, the 150th anniversary of the Charlottetown and Quebec Conferences, and the 100th anniversary of World War I.
In 2015, we will mark the 50th anniversary of the Canadian flag and the 200th anniversary of Sir John A. Macdonald’s birth.
And, in 2016, the 175th anniversary of Sir Wilfrid Laurier’s birth, the 175th anniversary of the union of Upper and Lower Canada, and the 100th anniversary of women’s suffrage in Canada. All leading, of course, to Canada’s 150th birthday in 2017.'
Ow! My head hurts. But I can't help but notice that he forgot one - ie 1982 - our Constitution and the Charter of Rights and Freedoms!
...no mention of the Treaty of Paris or the Royal Proclamation's 250th anniversary in 2013? Or, for that matter, of the Treaty of Utrecht's 300th that same year? Oh, right, I forgot that Canadian history began with the War of 1812.
ReplyDeleteHis selection of historical dates is.. interesting. Is it me, or could he have chosen half the dates and doubled the effect?
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