Canada’s Ultimate Story offers captivating tales of fascinating Canadian people, places and events, with engaging historical journalism and striking archival and contemporary imagery that combine to bring the stories of Canada to life like never before.
A rich array of online content expands on these stories and encourages interaction, bringing together thousands of Canadians who love our nation and want to know more about its history and achievements.
It is 1942, and the U-boat war that has been raging in the North Atlantic spills into the Gulf of St. Lawrence and the river itself. For three years, submarines dispatched by German Admiral Karl Dönitz have been attacking the high-seas convoys that are the lifeline of the war effort overseas. Now the underwater killers seize on new opportunities to attack ill-defended shipping all along the eastern seaboard into the Caribbean. They include transports sailing down the St. Lawrence and out to the coast from Montreal and Quebec City. For the first time since the War of 1812, lives are lost to hostile action in Canadian waters.
We cannot forget the First World War. Even though more than 90 years have passed since the guns fell silent, we are still shocked by the savagery of that conflict. The butcher’s bill worldwide was 10 million combatants, with countless more millions of civilians perishing through starvation, violence and even genocide. For Canada, a Dominion of the British Empire, with a population of fewer than eight million and not yet 50 years old at the start of the war, the country paid a terrible price. More than 60,000 Canadians were killed in the cataclysm from 1914 to 1918.
The Second World War, which lasted six years from 1939 to 1945, totally involved the Canadian people. The nation’s men and women served in huge numbers, 10 per cent of the population of 11 million putting on uniform. Millions more worked in war plants, in the mines and fields, and in the bureaucracies supporting the government.
Big land, bigger oceans, huge mountains, wide waterways and wildlife wilderness—Canada offers breathtaking vistas in every direction. Discover the countless wonders of our country. O Canada tells our story from our first peoples through to our achievements in space. With hundreds of photos and illustrations the O Canada is full of Canadiana, personalities, achievements and amazing statistics.
Read about the victories, losses and defining moments of Canadian soldiers and veterans. Honour their stories and remember.
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