Key Historical Events and Figures That Shaped Modern Canadian Identity

Introduction

Historical events in Canada are rich and significant, affecting not only the country but the whole world. From 1914 to the present day, many significant events have changed the course of history. It is important to study historical moments, the people involved in them, and the places in which they took place to understand the country’s history in as much detail as possible.

Historical Moments in Canada

1914-1929

Battle of Vimy Ridge 

The critical moment of the first timeline of 1914-1929 was the First World War and the Battle of Vimy Ridge. This event was influenced by social divisions, political unity around the country and the army, and the economic mobilization of resources. This battle lasted for several days in 1917 and significantly impacted Canada’s geopolitical position in the First World War (Chapman et al., 2021).

General Arthur Currie

This event shaped the history of Canada because it showed the combat capability of the Canadian army. This event’s hero can be General Arthur Currie, whose achievement lies in carefully strategizing and achieving success on the battlefield (Chapman et al., 2021). He played a significant role in the victory of the troops at Vimy Ridge by providing them with sound plans and tactics.

Penicillin

Another important aspect of that time was medicine, which influenced the identity of Canadians through the discovery of penicillin. This period influenced my life in that Canada was able to defend its interests and establish itself more firmly as a nationally united country, which can still be traced.

1929-1945

Great Depression

The defining moment of the second timeline, 1929-1945, was the Great Depression. The key issues that influenced this event were high unemployment, economic collapse, and political instability. The Great Depression was caused by the stock market collapse in 1929 (Kennedy, 2023). This affected Canada, causing severe social and economic problems, as many lost their money and economic opportunities. It helped shape Canadian history by showing vulnerabilities in the economy that must be addressed.

Tommy Douglas

The hero of that time can be called Tommy Douglas, whose achievement was the creation of universal health care in Canada (Mullally & Wright, 2020). This laid the groundwork for future medical reforms and enabled Canadians to better cope with a difficult time.

Sports

An area that has influenced Canadian identity is sports. This influenced the identity with the active development of hockey, which was able to rally people during the Great Depression. During this time, my grandparents served in World War II and contributed to the establishment of peace throughout the planet.

1945 to Nowadays

Constitution Act of 1982

The defining moment of the third timeline, from 1945 to the present day, is the creation of the Constitution Act of 1982. This influenced the recognition of Indigenous peoples’ rights and the sovereignty of Canada and led to constitutional reform. The Constitution Act 1982 was adopted by the Canadian Parliament, establishing clear statements of the rights and freedoms of citizens (Government of Canada, n.d.). This empowered the citizens, which helped shape a sustainable country in the future.

Terry Fox

At the same time, the Canadian hero of that time can be called Terry Fox, whose achievement was supporting and inspiring people fighting cancer. He lost his leg due to this disease, but went on a marathon to raise money to help with cancer research.

Space Exploration

The field that influenced Canadian identity at this time was science. This can be argued through space exploration, in which Canada has often taken part. The events of this time have significantly influenced my life since I have all my rights thanks to the act adopted at that time.

Conclusion

In conclusion, key events in Canada’s history have affected how the country lives and develops today. Many aspects have significantly supported science and the independence of the state, which has affected the well-being of the people and the comfort and standard of living in Canada. The study of history and its heroes is essential to understanding how a country has been able to succeed in any area.

References

Chapman, T. C., Johnson, P. A., Johnson, J. C., & Mardon, A. A. (2021). Canadian victory on Vimy Ridge: The Creation of the creeping barrage and the defining moment of a nation. The Pacific Journal of Science and Technology, 22(2), 152-158. Web.

Government of Canada. (n. d.). Guide to the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. Web.

Kennedy, C. A. (2023). A biophysical economic interpretation of the Great Depression: A critical period of an energy transition. Journal of Industrial Ecology, 1-15. Web.

Mullally, S., & Wright, D. (2020). Foreign practices: Immigrant doctors and the history of Canadian medicare. McGill-Queen’s Press.

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StudyCorgi. "Key Historical Events and Figures That Shaped Modern Canadian Identity." August 31, 2025. https://studycorgi.com/key-historical-events-and-figures-that-shaped-modern-canadian-identity/.

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StudyCorgi. 2025. "Key Historical Events and Figures That Shaped Modern Canadian Identity." August 31, 2025. https://studycorgi.com/key-historical-events-and-figures-that-shaped-modern-canadian-identity/.

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