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Prime Minister William Lyon Mackenzie King addresses the League of Nations
Canada was a founding member of the League, and served on the council from 1927-1930.
More positively, in 1929, Raoul Dandurand, Canadian representative on the council, successfully proposed strengthening League procedures in overseeing the treatment of linguistic and religious minorities in eastern Europe.
In 1935, when Canada supported the League's sanctions against Italy, Canadian delegate Walter A. Riddell proposed stopping all exports of oil, coal and steel to Italy. -
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Statute of Westminster gives Canada power independent of Britain
Canada did not enjoy full legal autonomy until the Statute of Westminster was passed on December 11, 1931. The signing of the statute was Canada’s own declaration of independence. -
Canada declares war on Germany
Canadian soldiers depart to Europe to help fight with allies against Germany -
battle of ortona
In December 1943, as part of the Allied advance through Italy during the Second World War, Canadian forces fought one of their toughest battles of the war in a bid to capture the town of Ortona. The month-long campaign — first at the Moro River outside Ortona, then with vicious street fighting in the town itself — cost more than 2,300 Canadian casualties, but eventually won Ortona for the Allies. -
Canada takes part in D-Day invasion,fighting and capturing Juno beach. 359 Canadians died
The Canadian Army’s 3rd Infantry Division and 2nd Armoured Brigade seized the beach and its seaside villages while under intense fire from German defenders — an extraordinary example of military skill, reinforced by countless acts of personal courage. There were 1,074 Canadian casualties, including 359 killed.
