Canadian politics
Today is the anniversary of the Battle of Vimy Ridge, which is considered one of the defining moments in Canadian history. It has been argued that modern Canada would not have a sense of nationhood without it.
Here is an excellent documentary about the battle and its aftermath.
Last week was the commemoration of the battle of Vimy Ridge one of the most defining moments in Canadian history. As public figures and politicians issued statements on the significance of the event. Anecdotal evidence
shows that the actual memory of the battle is fading from Canadians memories. To that end, Ipsos released a poll that showed a majority of Canadians could not recognize the Vimy Memorial.
The monument at Vimy Ridge is featured on both the $20 bill and the $2 coin, and yet 70% of those polled were unwilling to even hazard a guess, saying that they ‘didn’t know’ the distinctive shape of the Vimy Memorial, one of Canada’s great examples of public art. Others thought that the monument represented the Twin Towers / World Trade Centre (3%), the Washington Monument (1%), or unspecified mentions of memorials to the First World War (>0%), Second World War (1%), or war memorials in general (3%).
One the most concerning parts of the study has to be that millennial’s recognition of the monument plummets to 13%. Because they are the future of remembrance and to see these alarmingly low numbers is concerning just a year after the Centennial remembrance. To turn these numbers around, I would love to see more of a focus for students in high school on key dates in Canada’s military history. Finally, if we do not remember our history. How can we honour the past?
Today, Canada’s Conservatives are proud to pay tribute to those who fought the battle of Vimy Ridge, just as we are proud to honour all Veterans, past and present, and all of our Canadian Armed Forces members who keep our country safe each and every day. https://t.co/iH8MU2sQz4 pic.twitter.com/uJ33V73xTu
— Andrew Scheer (@AndrewScheer) April 9, 2018
Today we pause, reflect and commemorate those who made the supreme sacrifice. Vimy Ridge is not only a battle in a war but it is a defining day in Canada’s Nationhood.
Below is a video statement by the leader of the opposition Rona Ambrose on the historical significance of the battle of Vimy Ridge.
Today, we honour 100 years of a proud Canadian military legacy fighting for freedom and human rights around the world. #Vimy100 pic.twitter.com/XYe1cjhbIB
— Rona Ambrose (@RonaAmbrose) April 9, 2017
The following video is narrated by William Shatner. In commemoration of the battle of Vimy Ridge.
