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Vimy Ridge centenary: Thousands of Canadians mark battle's anniversary | Vimy Ridge centenary: Thousands of Canadians mark battle's anniversary |
(3 days later) | |
More than 20,000 Canadians have travelled to Europe to mark the centenary of one of the country's defining moments - the Battle of Vimy Ridge during World War One. | More than 20,000 Canadians have travelled to Europe to mark the centenary of one of the country's defining moments - the Battle of Vimy Ridge during World War One. |
About 3,600 Canadians died in the battle in northern France, that began on Easter Monday, 9 April 1917. | |
It was the first time different Canadian military divisions had fought together under one command. | It was the first time different Canadian military divisions had fought together under one command. |
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau paid tribute to those who fought. | Prime Minister Justin Trudeau paid tribute to those who fought. |
"The Battle of Vimy Ridge was a turning point in the First World War and for Canada, when Canadians acted - and fought - as one," he said. | "The Battle of Vimy Ridge was a turning point in the First World War and for Canada, when Canadians acted - and fought - as one," he said. |
Having laid flowers at the site of the battle earlier on Sunday, Mr Trudeau attended a commemorative ceremony with French President Francois Hollande, the Prince of Wales, the Duke of Cambridge and Prince Harry. | Having laid flowers at the site of the battle earlier on Sunday, Mr Trudeau attended a commemorative ceremony with French President Francois Hollande, the Prince of Wales, the Duke of Cambridge and Prince Harry. |
The Queen also sent a message to Canadians in French and English commending their soldiers for the sacrifice they made. | The Queen also sent a message to Canadians in French and English commending their soldiers for the sacrifice they made. |
The battle of Vimy Ridge, near Arras, was part of a wider British-led offensive that acted as a diversion from a French attack to the south, and proved successful in its aim. | The battle of Vimy Ridge, near Arras, was part of a wider British-led offensive that acted as a diversion from a French attack to the south, and proved successful in its aim. |
The battle across a 7km (4.3-mile) ridge began in heavy snow and sleet and lasted four days. Four Canadians went on to earn the Victoria Cross, the British military's highest award for bravery. | The battle across a 7km (4.3-mile) ridge began in heavy snow and sleet and lasted four days. Four Canadians went on to earn the Victoria Cross, the British military's highest award for bravery. |
Success at Vimy Ridge was the result of intense training over several months, and despite the heavy losses, helped forge Canada's identity on a global scale only 50 years after it had become an independent dominion. | Success at Vimy Ridge was the result of intense training over several months, and despite the heavy losses, helped forge Canada's identity on a global scale only 50 years after it had become an independent dominion. |
Two years later, Canada was one of the signatories to the Treaty of Versailles, formally ending the war. | Two years later, Canada was one of the signatories to the Treaty of Versailles, formally ending the war. |
Among those attending the ceremony in Vimy on Sunday was Ken Piggott, a retired Army captain from Nova Scotia. "It was an important step in shaking off British colonial rule," he told the AFP news agency. "For that reason, it is a huge source of pride for me." | Among those attending the ceremony in Vimy on Sunday was Ken Piggott, a retired Army captain from Nova Scotia. "It was an important step in shaking off British colonial rule," he told the AFP news agency. "For that reason, it is a huge source of pride for me." |
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