Friday, January 5, 2018

The Renewal Of The Centennial Flame

The Centennial Flame was first lit at the dawn of our centennial year by Prime Minister Lester Pearson. At the time we had ten provinces and two territories, each represented by crests and years of entry into Confederation on the fountain that surrounds the flame. Since the partitioning of the Northwest Territories in 1999 into two, creating the territory of Nunavut, the total of thirteen had not been reflected in this fountain. For a few weeks in the fall, this flame was shut off and the structure reconfigured to correct that, with a shelter going around the entire thing to give work crews time to get things done. The slabs were altered to go from twelve to thirteen sections, with Nunavut included in the mix with its crest that features an inukshuk. In mid-December, the Flame was re-dedicated by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. I captured it at night on one occasion afterwards.


And I came back in the daylight. A plaque now rests before the fountain, and Nunavut has its place among the other provinces and territories. A fitting addition at the end of our anniversary year.


The new crest for Nunavut is seen here, at the right of this trio.

33 comments:

  1. ...I learned something new day, thanks.

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  2. Beautiful monument and photos
    Yay for Nunavut!

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  3. Lucky thirteen! Nicely documented here William.

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  4. The renewal of the centennial flame.
    That sounds so dignified. It looks as if 13 had always been there. Chapeau
    Janis
    GDP

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  5. Hello, the Centennial Flame is nice to see. Beautiful monument. Happy Friday, enjoy your day and weekend!

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  6. Oo, yeah! Fires are nice, especially on cold days like we're having.

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  7. How very appropriate and so well configured!

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  8. One of the better photos of the Peace tower in brilliant sunshine.

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  9. @Linda: it was a good idea to get it done for the anniversary.

    @Marianne: it is as much a part of the country as the rest of us, so it deserved to be included.

    @Tom: you're welcome.

    @Maywyn: the fountain certainly does draw visitors to the Hill.

    @Grace: lucky 13 indeed!

    @Marie: it has, after all, been quite a few years since the territory was formally established.

    @Janis: it's a relatively small touch compared to some of the other Canada 150 projects, but a good one.

    @Eileen: it's a welcome sight to see.

    @Francisco: thank you.

    @Revrunner: the warmth is particularly noticeable on cold days like this!

    @RedPat: it is indeed.

    @Christine: yes, the dimensions of the fountain itself haven't changed, but its configuration is altered.

    @Red: thanks!

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  10. What a great idea for your country and wonderful photos capturing the flame ~

    Happy Weekend to you,
    A ShutterBug Explores,
    aka (A Creative Harbor)

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  11. Cool! Love seeing photos of our Capital!

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  12. Nice overview in the last photo.

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  13. A beautiful and most interesting commemorative flame! So glad that everyone is finally included!

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  14. i so could use a fire right now. it is so cold here in VA. so so cold. ( ;

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  15. @Sharon: I've always thought this fountain was a good idea.

    @Carol: it was a fitting centennial idea that's lasted well beyond that time.

    @Jenn: I like showing them.

    @Jan: it is indeed.

    @Lowell: it was about time!

    @Beth: here it got up to -24C today, with a windchill that felt like -39.

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  16. A wonderful addition! A beautiful flame that represents them all. Excellent photos, William.

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  17. So interesting. Did not know about the newer territory.

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  18. Such a good monument, thanks again for some great photographs William.

    All the best Jan

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  19. Beautiful moment for Nunavut. Good captures.

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  20. @Bill: thanks!

    @Regine: so do I.

    @Mari: it was a fitting cap to the year.

    @Kay: it was!

    @Nancy: thank you.

    @Jim: it's known here, but not really as much abroad.

    @Cloudia: it was about time.

    @Jan: you're welcome.

    @Norma: it is!

    @Klara: thanks!

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