1) APRIL 22-25, 1951 – BATTLE OF KAPYONG (KOREAN WAR) –

DEFINING MOMENTS :

Canada helps South Korea from North Korea /China invasion. As part of United
Nations, The Canadian Military played a large role specially on the “Battle of
Kapyong” along side an Australian Regiments (with same size as Canadian
troops ) who already withdrew from their position. It was one of the defining
moments od the Korean War when The Canadian Troops from Second Battalion of
the Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry, or more affectionately the Princess
Pats of 700 men held their ground during Chinese onslaught. Both the Canadians
and the Australians received the United States Presidential Unit Citation from the
American government, the first time a Canadian unit had been so honoured.

HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE :
The holding action of the Australians and Canadians at Kapyong allowed the UN
forces to consolidate their troops for the next stage of operations. The Canadians
had fought tenaciously against a Chinese army with a force several times their size.
The battle contributed significantly to the defeat of the general Chinese offensive
against the South that spring, protecting the capital city of Seoul from re-
occupation, and plugging the hole in the UN line to give the South Koreans time to
retreat. The wider Communist offensive of 1951 was halted about a week after the
battle. There were 23 Canadian soldiers wounded and 10 soldiers killed, as well as
an estimated 2,000 Chinese casualties.

2) 1979 – TERRY FOX MARATHON OF HOPE

DEFINING MOMENTS :
Terry Fox has showed Canada that even he has a life threatening disease, he can be
a hero for everybody especially those patients suffering with cancer, by raising
significant amount of money for “Cancer Research” through his “Marathon of
Hope” fund raising.

CONTINUITY AND CHANGE :

Terry Fox’s vision and courage have helped to change and re-shaped Canada in
many ways. Importantly, it transformed Cancer Research in Canada which until
now benefits a lot of people in Canada. It’s established a new attitude and
threshold regarding what kind of investment was necessary to support Cancer
Support.
3) APRIL 9/12 , 1917 – BATTLE OF VIMY RIDGE
DEFINING MOMENTS :
For many historians, Canada truly came together as a nation in April 1917, when
our troops sacrificed lives and limbs to win the Battle of Vimy Ridge in northern
France. The Canadian Corps had achieved what the British and French troops
previously couldn’t, marking the first time international headlines attributed a
major First World War victory to Canada. The victory at Vimy came at a
devastating cost. More than 10,600 Canadian soldiers were killed and wounded. 
HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE :
This battle was extremely significant for Canadian troops in terms of confidence
and morale. After completely destroying one of the most powerful armies in the
world, the Germans, the Canadian army now had the respect of other top armies
around the world. They were now seen as effective troops who could get the job
done when necessary.
This battle was very significant for Canada as a nation as well. Before the battle,
the people of Canada were essentially British subjects (Masse). After this battle,
Canadian people finally had an identity for who they were. This battle was their
coming of age, and they were now receiving respect from nations throughout the
world. Canada was given a seat in the League of Nations as soon as it was
developed and they were also given a seat at the very important Paris Conference.
Vimy Ridge resulted in the bonding of the different cultures living in Canada.
Before the battle, Canada was a country of separate nationalities and it was
unimportant that the people felt they were Canadian (Masse). There was absolutely
no patriotism in Canada. After the battle, it had been proven that all these great
cultures could unite together to form a great nation such as Canada, which could
compete with anyone in the world.
Vimy Ridge definitely changed Canada for the better at the time and for today. It
made Canadians better at the time because the battle was the turning point in the
war and it marked a symbolic birth for the nation. The battle as stated also united
the Canadian Army that we have today. The nation was also united through this
battle and Canada would not have had the patriotism that existed then or that we
have today without this battle. This battle was not just about defeating the German
army and making an advance on the western front. This battle was about Canada
proving to itself and the world that it could compete. Since this battle, Canada has
never looked back and has become one of the world’s leading nations in several
departments. This battle changed Canada for the better.

4) AUGUST 19, 1942 – RAID OF DIEPPE

DEFINING MOMENTS
The battle of Dieppe was a defining moment in Canadian history because
it affected future battles, it demonstrated Canada’s devotion to the war, and it
was one of the biggest mission failures. For the raid, Canada donated over 5000
soldiers to the attack, along with many tanks and other equipment5. Casualty from
Canadian Military are : 907 dead, 586 wounded, 1,946 captured.
HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE :
Despite its failure, the raid provided valuable lessons for the Allies. It erased the
idea that surprise and tanks were enough to succeed in an amphibious assault
against occupied France. Two years later, the D-Day landings would be backed up
by massive naval artillery support, dominance over the skies, and heavy firepower
— three essential factors missing at Dieppe.
Dieppe also made clear the difficulties of assaulting a well-defended port, as well
as the need for better intelligence on beach conditions and German defences, better
communication between infantry on the beach and commanders offshore, and the
need for specialized landing craft and tanks able to overcome beach obstacles.
These lessons would be implemented in later amphibious assaults in North Africa,
Italy, and Normandy.