History Browser

Wilfrid Laurier's penchant for compromise allowed him to remain in power for 15 years, earning him the nickname of the "Great Conciliator". But in 1911, this talent proved inadequate to the task of winning elections.

Throughout his career, compromise would remain the main political strategy Laurier used to settle conflicts. A staunch defender of national unity, he was called on to solve a series of major controversies which set Canadians against one another.

The Sir Wilfrid Laurier National Historic Site of Canada is located in Saint-Lin-Laurentides, a town 50 km north of Montreal. The site commemorates one of the most important figures in Canadian political history, Sir Wilfrid Laurier, the man often referred to as the father of modern Canada.

One of the principal features of his vision was a strong sense of national unity. As a young man, he asserted that "The unity of the people is the secret of the future", ["L'union entre les peuples, le secret de l'avenir"] ...

Poem "Death of Captain Vicars" by Victorian-era poet Harriett Annie Wilkins.

In this 1943 radio speech, Mary Churchill describes her favourable impressions of a recent visit to a CWAC training centre.

In June 1813, James FitzGibbon (1780-1863) was a lieutenant of the 49th (the Hertfordshire) Regiment of Foot in command of the British outpost at Beaver Dams. He received warning from Laura Secord (1775-1868) of an impending American surprise attack, and his instructions led to their ambush and surrender. FitzGibbon had a remarkable military career, which reached its high point when he was largely responsible for preventing Mackenzie's rebels from taking Toronto in 1837. This testimonial was reproduced in ‘From Brock to Currie’ (Toronto, 1935).

In 1941, for the first time in Canadian history, women were recruited for Canada's Armed Forces. This television clip features scenes from the NFB recruitment film "The Proudest Girl in the World" and interviews with two women who answered the call to enlist in World War II.

At no time were King's leadership skills more apparent than when he faced the challenge of leading the country through the Second World War.

This 1942 radio broadcast features testimonials from airwomen of the Royal Canadian Air Force Women's Division (WDs) who are proud to be serving their country in the ground jobs that keep men flying. The WDs played a vital role in the operation of the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan during WW II.