Most Canadians were proud to be part of the British Empire. Over 7,000 volunteered to fight in the South African War (1899\u20131902), popularly known as the Boer War, and over 260 died. In 1900, Canadians took part in the battles of Paardeberg (\u201cHorse Mountain\u201d) and Lillefontein, victories that strengthened national pride in Canada.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When Germany attacked Belgium and France in 1914 and Britain declared war, Ottawa formed the Canadian Expeditionary Force (later the Canadian Corps). More than 600,000 Canadians served in the war, most of them volunteers, out of a total population of eight million.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On the battlefield, the Canadians proved to be tough, innovative soldiers. Canada shared in the tragedy and triumph of the Western Front. The Canadian Corps captured Vimy Ridge in April 1917, with 10,000 killed or wounded, securing the Canadians\u2019 reputation for valour as the \u201cshock troops of the British Empire.\u201d One Canadian officer said: \u201cIt was Canada from the Atlantic to the Pacific on parade \u2026 In those few minutes I witnessed the birth of a nation.\u201d April 9 is celebrated as Vimy Day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Regrettably, from 1914 to 1920, Ottawa interned over 8,000 former Austro-Hungarian subjects, mainly Ukrainian men, as \u201cenemy aliens\u201d in 24 labour camps across Canada, even though Britain advised against the policy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 1918, under the command of General Sir Arthur Currie, Canada\u2019s greatest soldier, the Canadian Corps advanced alongside the French and British Empire troops in the last hundred days. These included the victorious Battle of Amiens on August 8, 1918\u2014which the Germans called \u201cthe black day of the German Army\u201d\u2014followed by Arras, Canal du Nord, Cambrai and Mons. With Germany and Austria\u2019s surrender, the war ended in the Armistice on November 11, 1918. In total 60,000 Canadians were killed and 170,000 wounded. The war strengthened both national and imperial pride, particularly in English Canada.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Picture: (From Left to Right) Sergeant, Fort Garry Horse, Canadian Expeditionary Force, 1916. Sir Arthur Currie, a reserve officer, became Canada\u2019s greatest soldier. Maple leaf cap badge from the First World War. Canada\u2019s soldiers began using the maple leaf in the 1850s.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Picture: (From Top to Bottom) The Vimy Memorial in France honours those who served and died in the Battle of Vimy Ridge on April 9, 1917, the first British victory of the First World War. Agnes Macphail, a farmer and teacher, became the first woman MP in 1921.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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