Iconic Moments In History

Before heading into the third gallery in Canada Hall, I paused for another look at the central hub and its map of Canada.

These items date back to the early 20th century, including a bust of Prime Minister Wilfred Laurier.

Alfred Bastien painted this oil painting, Gas Attack, Flanders 1915, in that same year.

This crucifix was fashioned out of the burned cross in a church at Passchendaele, Belgium, the site of a major World War One battle involving Canadian troops.

Here are two paintings by members of the Group of Seven, the Canadian landscape artists well renowned in the country. On the left is an untitled fall landscape by A.J. Casson around 1930. On the right is Eskimo Summer Camp, by A.Y. Jackson, done around 1927.

This view from this level looks down on some of what we've already seen, and also plays to the circular effect that is so prevalent in Douglas Cardinal's designs.

These photographs are from the Second World War. At top is one taken during the First Quebec Conference in August 1943. Prime Minister William Lyon Mackenzie King and British Prime Minister Winston Churchill are standing at this spot overlooking Quebec City. American President Franklin Roosevelt is sitting before them with the Canadian Governor General at the time, the Earl of Athlone. The second shot features King after his address to the nation on VE Day.

Canada had, for many years, used the Red Ensign as its flag. By mid century, there was a movement for a new flag. Some of the basic ideas can be found here, along with background for the debate about the issue.

The background image here dates to 1982, with the signing by Queen Elizabeth of the Proclamation of the Canadian Constitution, which built upon the British North America Act of 1867. Pierre Trudeau, the prime minister of the day, is at the left. The table used for the occasion is present here.