Focused and Verified
As explained in our Mission, Citizen.ca focuses on knowledge closely connected to Canadian identity and Canadian spirit, rather than every fact about Canada. Some topics will therefore be absent. If you believe a missing topic belongs within this focus, please contact us.
The groups below show how published records are distributed and offer a convenient way to browse. Counts include distinct records assigned to each group or its narrower keywords. A record may appear in more than one group.
For a more specific search, use the keyword search below. Choose one keyword, or combine two with AND to require both or OR to include either.
671 records
981 records
407 records
80 records
Browse all →216 records
201 records
804 records
793 records
Browse all →Choose one keyword, or combine two. Broader keywords include their descendants.
Frederick Banting and John Macleod shared the 1923 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine “for the discovery of insulin.” Banting, born in Alliston, Ontario, was affiliated with the University of Toronto at the time of the award.
Contributor: Citizen.ca
Photo: Adam Bishop · Photo licence: CC BY-SA 4.0 · Credit & context
L’Anse aux Meadows, at the tip of Newfoundland’s Great Northern Peninsula, holds the first known evidence of European presence in the Americas. Norse expeditions from Greenland built a small timber-and-sod encampment there over 1,000 years ago; the site was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1978.
Contributor: Citizen.ca
Photo: Pierre Gingras · Photo licence: CC BY-SA 4.0 · Credit & context
On 6 June 1944, some 14,000 Canadians came ashore at Juno Beach in Normandy, under heavy enemy fire, to help establish an Allied beachhead. Veterans Affairs Canada reports that 359 Canadian soldiers were killed on D-Day.
Contributor: Citizen.ca
Photo: remiforall · Photo licence: CC BY-SA 4.0 · Credit & context
The Battle of Vimy Ridge began on Easter Monday, 9 April 1917. It was the first time all four divisions of the Canadian Corps fought together as one formation.
Contributor: Citizen.ca
Photo: 0x010C · Photo licence: CC BY-SA 3.0 · Credit & context
On 18 October 1929, the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council ruled that women were “persons” under section 24 of the British North America Act, 1867, and therefore eligible for appointment to the Senate. The appeal followed a 1928 Supreme Court of Canada decision and a campaign by five Alberta women: Emily Murphy, Henrietta Muir Edwards, Louise McKinney, Nellie McClung and Irene Parlby.
Contributor: Citizen.ca
Photo: John.B.Codrington · Photo licence: CC BY-SA 4.0 · Credit & context
CBC/Radio-Canada is a Crown corporation established by Parliament in 1936 as Canada’s national public broadcaster. Its current mandate is set out in the Broadcasting Act of 1991.
Contributor: Citizen.ca
Photo: Arild Vågen · Photo licence: CC BY-SA 4.0 · Credit & context
The Order of Canada was created in 1967, Canada’s centennial year. It honours people who make extraordinary contributions to the nation; its motto, Desiderantes meliorem patriam, means “They desire a better country.”
Contributor: Citizen.ca
Photo: Concierge.2C · Photo licence: CC BY-SA 3.0 · Credit & context
Canada’s one-dollar coin was introduced in 1987 as a cost-saving measure to replace the one-dollar bill. It was soon nicknamed the “loonie” after the loon on its reverse, designed by wildlife artist Robert-Ralph Carmichael.
Contributor: Citizen.ca
Photo: ImagePerson · Photo licence: CC BY 4.0 · Credit & context
Equalization is the Government of Canada’s transfer program for addressing fiscal disparities among provinces. It began in 1957, its payments are unconditional, and section 36(2) of the Constitution Act, 1982 commits Parliament and the Government of Canada to the principle of making equalization payments.
Contributor: Citizen.ca
Photo: Ken Lund from Reno, Nevada, USA · Photo licence: CC BY-SA 2.0 · Credit & context
The Maple Leaf Tartan was designed in 1964 and became an official symbol of Canada in 2011. Its colours evoke the changing colours of maple leaves through the seasons.
Contributor: Citizen.ca
Photo: Wilfredor · Photo licence: CC0 · Credit & context
The National Film Board of Canada was created in 1939. This federal cultural agency produces and distributes original audiovisual works that reflect Canadian experiences and perspectives.
Contributor: Citizen.ca
Photo: Jeangagnon · Photo licence: CC BY-SA 4.0 · Credit & context
Canada’s coat of arms was adopted by proclamation of King George V in 1921. Canada’s motto, A Mari Usque Ad Mare, translates as “From Sea to Sea.”
Contributor: Citizen.ca
Photo: Colin Smith · Photo licence: CC BY-SA 2.0 · Credit & context
The July 1 holiday was formerly known as Dominion Day. Its name officially changed to Canada Day on 27 October 1982; the annual celebration remained on July 1.
Contributor: Citizen.ca
Photo: Toy Dog Design from Toronto, ON, Canada · Photo licence: CC BY-SA 2.0 · Credit & context
Section 35 of the Constitution Act, 1982 recognizes and affirms the existing Aboriginal and treaty rights of the Aboriginal peoples of Canada. It identifies Indian, Inuit and Métis peoples for this provision.
Contributor: Citizen.ca
Photo: DXR / Daniel Vorndran · Photo licence: CC BY-SA 4.0 · Credit & context
The Canadian Citizenship Act came into effect on 1 January 1947. It established Canadian citizenship as a distinct legal category, an important development in Canada’s evolving national identity.
Contributor: Citizen.ca
Photo: Skeezix1000 · Photo licence: CC BY-SA 3.0 · Credit & context
The Statute of Westminster, 1931 recognized the Dominions’ legal autonomy. Canada retained a reservation concerning amendments to the British North America Acts; domestic constitutional amendment procedures followed in 1982.
Contributor: Citizen.ca
Photo: Diliff · Photo licence: CC BY-SA 2.5 · Credit & context
Many women gained the federal vote in 1918 when the gender barrier was removed. Other eligibility restrictions still excluded some women, so the change did not establish universal voting rights.
Contributor: Citizen.ca
Photo: John.B.Codrington · Photo licence: CC BY-SA 4.0 · Credit & context
The federal government introduced a head tax on Chinese immigrants in 1885. This discriminatory measure was distinct from the restrictive Chinese Immigration Act adopted in 1923, which severely limited Chinese immigration.
Contributor: Citizen.ca
Photo: Northwest · Photo licence: CC BY-SA 4.0 · Credit & contextCanada patriated its Constitution in 1982. The constitutional changes included procedures allowing amendments to be made in Canada, instead of relying on the United Kingdom for major changes.
Contributor: Citizen.ca
Photo: DXR / Daniel Vorndran · Photo licence: CC BY-SA 4.0 · Credit & context
Section 35(2) of the Constitution Act, 1982 names Indian, Inuit, and Métis peoples in its description of the Aboriginal peoples of Canada.
Contributor: Citizen.ca
Photo: Jeangagnon · Photo licence: CC BY-SA 4.0 · Credit & contextThe maple tree was designated Canada’s national arboreal emblem in 1996.
Contributor: Citizen.ca
Photo: Wilfredor · Photo licence: CC0 · Credit & context
The beaver became an official Canadian symbol on 24 March 1975.
Contributor: Citizen.ca
Photo: Charles J. Sharp · Photo licence: CC BY-SA 4.0 · Credit & contextO Canada became Canada’s national anthem in 1980; the song was first performed in 1880.
Contributor: Citizen.ca
Photo: Toy Dog Design from Toronto, ON, Canada · Photo licence: CC BY-SA 2.0 · Credit & context
Canada’s current national flag was first raised on 15 February 1965.
Contributor: Citizen.ca
Photo: William B. Grice · Photo licence: CC BY-SA 4.0 · Credit & context