Battle of Vimy Ridge - 89th Anniversary

[A Nonny Moose 8,261]

April 9, 1917 Gen. Currie led an all Canadian assault on Vimy Ridge after failures by separate British and French attempts.  They successfully took the strategic overlook from the Germans with a loss of 3,500 killed and many more casualties.  Many who participated stated afterwards that it was the first time they had really felt Canadian.

Many agree that this battle was the making of the Canadian identitiy in the world community.  Do you have any Vimy vets in your ancestry?

Sidenote:  This is my 3,000th post on this site.

[Skink000 0]

@N_O_Body: Thanks N_O_Body, I listen, I learn. Congratulations to all Canadians, certainly an achievement of great pride.

Naturally being a history (education) deprived American I had to look it up and went here.

[Micah 16]

That's great news! Since I'm not into Canadian history, isn't it true that Canada just gained independence from the UK just in the early 90s. I have an atlas book that dates to the 40s that says 'Dominion of Canada' and under that it says 'UK'.

[A Nonny Moose 8,261]

Originally posted by: Micah That's great news! Since I'm not into Canadian history, isn't it true that Canada just gained independence from the UK just in the early 90s. I have an atlas book that dates to the 40s that says 'Dominion of Canada' and under that it says 'UK'.quote>

Actually, July 1, 1867.  I wasn't until 150 years later that we repatriated the constiution and the old BNA Act went out of business.  We still have the crown with Elizabieth I (of Canada) as our reigning monarch represented by the Governor General chosen by the Prime Minister in Council (cabinet) and a full constitutional monarchy.  While the old 'Dominion' status ended with the break-up of the British Empire in 1947 which became the British Commonwealth of Nations.  Some are republics, but most are still constitutional monarchies.

The common law and the Code of Laws (statutes) are commonly based on the British system as is yours.  Common law consists of usage and precedent which is then changed by Statute as needed, usually for clarification.  Our Criminal Code and Sentencing Act are much like those in all British derived countries, including the Uinited States of America.  When you get finished experimenting, I am sure you will be welcome back in the Commonwealth.

Anyway, back on topic.  The Vimy Memorial in France is closed tp  the the public for repairs.  See it at http://www.vac-acc.gc.ca/general/sub.cfm?source=memorials/ww1mem/vimy

[vid 0]