25: Canada

25 Years ago (September 11, 2001) during the Terrorist Attacks on the World Trade Center, the Pentagon and in the Field in Pennsylvania Canada stood with the United States in many ways.

(Gander International Airport in Newfoundland, Canada with 38 Airliners, totaling 6,122 Passengers and 473 Crew, as part of Operation Yellow Ribbon on 9-11-01.)

Not only did the Canadian Military help protect American Airspace under NORAD, but Canadian Airports took in Hundreds of Planes with Tens of Thousands of Passengers including Thousands of Americans that were headed towards the United States from Europe and Asia.

It was called Operation Yellow Ribbon (French: Opération ruban jaune.)

After the US FAA closed all of American Airspace at 9:45 Eastern Time Transport Canada enacted Operation Yellow Ribbon under SitCen.

The SitCen is Transport Canada's Emergency Operations Centre (EOC.)

As Personnel staffed the SitCen, key Organizations such as Nav Canada, the Department of National Defence, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS), Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC), and Canada Customs and Revenue Agency (CCRA) were also involved in SitCen Operations.

After learning that the FAA had closed down U.S. Airspace, David Collenette, the Canadian Transport Minister, gave orders that Canadian Airports be open only for outgoing Police, Military, and Humanitarian Flights, and incoming U.S. Bound International Flights that were passed the “point of no return” over the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.  

This was the first unplanned closure of Canadian Airspace.

SitCen focused on keeping in contact with every plane (to make sure there were no more Hijacked Planes), where to land all the Aircraft and how to deplane, screen and clear Tens of Thousands of Passengers through Canadian Immigration and Customs.

Planes were entering Canadian Airspace at a rate of 2 Planes every Minute.

238 Planes with 45,000 Passengers and Crew en-route to the United States were re-routed to 17 Canadian Airports.

Gander International Airport in Newfoundland, Canada is the first North American Airport on the Transatlantic Flight Route.

Gander Airport took in 38 Wide-Body Airplanes with 6,122 Passengers and Crew.

The Total Population of Gander at the time was 9,000 People and there were only 500 Hotel Rooms in the City.

Canadian Prime Minister Jean Chrétien stated that in the span of a few hours the Population of Gander jumped by more than 50%.

The People of Gander opened Schools, Community Centers and their Own Homes to house these Stranded People (including American.)

The People of Gander also donated Food, Clothes, Bedding, etc, to them.

Here are the other Canadian Airports that also took in American-Bound Airplanes:

Halifax International Airport in Nova Scotia handled 45 Flights

St. John's International Airport in Newfoundland handled 27 Flights

Winnipeg International Airport in Manitoba handled 15 Flights

Toronto Pearson International Airport in Ontario handled 14 Flights

Calgary International Airport in Alberta handled 13 Flights

Greater Moncton International Airport in New Brunswick handled 10 Flights

Montréal–Mirabel International Airport in Quebec handled 10 Flights

Stephenville International Airport in Newfoundland handled 13 Flights

Canadian Forces Base Goose Bay in Newfoundland handled 7 Flights

Montréal-Dorval International Airport in Quebec handled 7 Flights

Edmonton International Airport in Alberta handled 6 Flights

Hamilton International Airport in Ontario handled 4 Flights

Whitehorse International Airport in Yukon handled 2 Flights

Deer Lake Airport in Newfoundland handled 1 Flight

Yellowknife Airport in the Northwest Territories handled 2 Flights

Vancouver International Airport in British Columbia (the only major Canadian Airport on the West Coast capable of handling the large Aircraft used for Transpacific Flights took in 34 Planes with 8,500 Passengers and Crew.

After the Planes were diverted and landed and the Passengers and Crew were deplaned and went through Canadian Immigration and Customs the Canadians then had to house and feed all 45,000 Men, Women and Children.

Federal, Provincial, Territorial and Local Canadian Governments worked with Canadian Citizens to feed and house all 45,000 People for 5  days until they could go into the United States,

Operation Yellow Ribbon was the largest Emergency Operation in Civilian Aircraft History.

Canada did not have to endanger their own Citizens by allowing these Planes and People into their Country on 9-11.

They did it because they are a good, kind and caring People.

25 years later we should remember what the Canadians did for us Americans.

Welland Canal

The Welland Canal

The Welland Canal is a Ship Canal in Ontario, Canada, and part of the St. Lawrence Seaway and Great Lakes Waterway.

The Canal was opened in 1829 and was last reconstructed in 1932 to allow for larger Cargo Ships to pass through it.

The Canal goes through the Niagara Peninsula and was built because the Niagara River (the only natural waterway connecting the Lakes) is unnavigable due to Niagara Falls.

The Canal goes from Lake Ontario to Lake Erie.

3,000 Ships (carrying 40 Million Tons or 88 Billion Pounds) pass through the Welland Canal every year.

The Canal allowed goods from American Ports in the Great Lakes (Cleveland, Detroit, Milwaukee and Chicago) to travel to the Port of Montreal where they were loaded onto Ocean-Going Ships to go across the Atlantic Ocean to Europe.

Lake Ontario (one of the 5 Great Lakes and named after the Iroquoian Native Tribe living in the area since 1639) was renamed to Lake America by US President Trump in August 2026.

Canada continues to only recognize the name it has used for 387 years: Lake Ontario.

Canada holds the cards in this dispute because they are refusing to allow any Cargo Ship (American, Canadian or Foreign) that uses the unrecognized name “Lake America” on their International Cargo Shipping Documents to use the Welland Canal.

That means American Shipping  - especially items and products that go through the Mid-West - is being stopped which means even more higher prices for Ordinary Americans (on top of the higher prices we pay in the form of Tariffs on Canadian Goods also recently imposed by President Trump.)

57 Years Late

From CNN:

“French has become a sticking point in the Canada-US trade dispute. Here’s why”

As a trade war between the United States and Canada looms following the collapse of talks last week, a key issue has emerged that’s further inflamed tensions between the longtime allies: French language laws.

Canada is a bilingual country and has laws protecting both of its official languages: English and French, the first language spoken for roughly one fifth of the population, including nearly 85% of primarily Francophone province of Quebec. Among the laws, product labels must be displayed in both English and French, and US streaming platforms must support and promote Canadian content (including Indigenous and French Canadian content) to audiences north of the border.

Canada’s language requirements have long been viewed by the US as a trade barrier but are generally a red line for Ottawa — which Prime Minister Mark Carney enforced by walking away from a deal which he said included “threats to French language and culture.” On Monday, Carney said Canada “could not accept” the proposed deal that would have weakened French language protections, telling reporters that his government “will not give (the US) what they have asked.” Many in Canada have rallied behind Carney’s decision — and particularly his comments about protecting French culture, a core part of Canada’s national identity.

After US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer called Ottawa’s concerns about French a “funny, fake story” on Monday, the Canadian leader denied the issue was a laughing matter, saying there is an “enormous gap between our perspective and the US perspective.” “For Americans, French language, Francophone culture, Canadian culture, these are irritants,” Carney said in French at a news conference in Lévis, Quebec. “Here in Quebec, here in Canada, these are rights,” he said, as a group of reporters applauded.

On Tuesday, Donald Trump denied that the US wanted to interfere with Canada’s French language laws, while also calling the Canadian prime minister “weak and ineffective” in a Truth Social post. “I would never interfere with Canadians speaking French! In fact, I have never even thought of doing such a stupid thing. This lie was made up by a weak and ineffective Prime Minister in an attempt to gain political support, which he has totally lost, from the people of Quebec,” the US president posted.

Since negotiations stalled Friday, the US has imposed 50% tariffs on roughly $20 billion worth of Canadian goods. Carney initially pledged to match the tariffs “dollar-for-dollar,” but on Monday said his government may consider a more targeted approach to maximize effect, given the size of the American economy. “Everything is on the table,” he said in French. Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne and three other Cabinet ministers are set to announce Canada’s response to the tariffs on Tuesday, including measures to protect and support Canadian workers and businesses, according to a government statement. CNN has reached out to Carney’s office for more details.

Language rights vital part of Canadian identity Language rights have been entrenched in Canada’s constitution for decades and are particularly important to Quebec, which has fought to protect its distinct linguistic and cultural identity in an English-dominated North America. This pursuit has at times put the province at odds with the rest of Canada. Quebec has twice held a referendum on whether to secede from the rest of the country, most recently in a 1995 vote where the “no” side won by a razor-thin margin of just 1.16%.

Language laws include everything from the right for Canadians to access official services in both languages to the requirement that hair care companies display the French “shampooing” alongside English text on their bottles. For US companies looking to do business in Canada, this means added barriers as they must redesign packaging and pay extra production costs.

Stewart Prest, a lecturer in the Department of Political Science at the University of British Columbia, said asking Canada to bend these rules is “not a reasonable request of the Canadian government in a trade negotiation,” and one Canada has “no choice but to say no to.” “People in Canada speak French. It’s not a country where everybody speaks English, and some people like to dabble in French,” he said. “It is not so different than asking France to relax its requirement that packaging must include French.” It’s common for service workers in Montreal to greet customers with “Bonjour-Hi.”

Under any circumstance, it would be incredibly detrimental to Carney, who has built a global profile for standing up to Trump, to bow on an issue so central to Canadian identity, said Stéphanie Chouinard, associate professor of political studies at Royal Military College and Queen’s University in Kingston, Ontario. But the matter is particularly acute with Quebec just weeks away from a provincial election where the separatist Parti Québécois is surging in the polls, she said. The party’s leader recently said he would delay a possible independence referendum until Trump’s term ends — but any concession on language laws could “stoke secessionist sentiment” in the province where independence talk has been on the back burner, Chouinard said.

At odds with Washington Quebec has implemented strict nationalist policies in recent years to reinforce French as the province’s sole language, including through the controversial language law Bill 96, which includes stricter requirements for French on products, appliances, packaging and signage. The legislation was included on the 2025 list of global trade barriers compiled annually by the Office of the US Trade Representative.

The US has also expressed concerns about Canada’s Online Streaming Act, which requires online video and music services like Netflix and Spotify to invest in and promote Canadian content. Washington also opposed another streaming regulation, known as Bill 109, passed in Quebec last December, which compels streaming platforms to prioritize French-language content. In March, the US listed the measure as a potential trade barrier in its trade estimate report.

Greer, in an interview with CNBC Monday, said the US does not have an issue with the French language but rather what he called a “discriminatory tax on American companies.” “I like the Quebecois, and I like that they speak French. What we don’t like is a situation where Canada’s federal government forces American tech companies to take their earnings and give a percentage to their competitors,” he said. For many in Canada, the dispute raises concerns about American interference with Canada’s national identity.

Quebec’s Premier Christine Fréchette said Carney made the right decision to walk away from the negotiating table. “Our culture, our language, is central to our identity, and it is important to exclude that from the negotiation table,” said Fréchette in a news conference, according to CNN newsgathering partner CBC News. “Even though we are threatened with different tariffs, it won’t change. We will stay the way we are.”

^ Canada has officially been a Bilingual Country since 1969.

That is 57 years of having to use French and English on Products and in Service including on American Imported Products.

If this is just now being a problem for some Americans then they are 57 years too late. ^

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/other/french-has-become-a-sticking-point-in-the-canada-us-trade-dispute-here-s-why/ar-AA2aQRnU?ocid=msedgntp&pc=EDBBAN&cvid=6a8dd87170fa4e459f1f1f9e12a79e43&ei=9

35: World

The World honors Ukraine's fight over Russia on Ukraine's 35th Independence Day today!

35: Canada First

Canada was the Western Country to recognize Ukraine’s Independence from the Soviet Union on December 2, 1991.

Soviet Russia (the Russian Soviet Socialist Republic) also recognized t=Ukraine’s Independence on that day.

The Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR) did not recognize Ukraine’s Independence.

The United States recognized Ukraine’s Independence on December 25, 1991 (the day the Soviet Union collapsed.

 The United Kingdom recognized Ukraine’s Independence on December 31, 1991 long after the USSR was disbanded.

35 years ago tomorrow (August 24, 1991) declared it’s Independence from the Soviet Union which had occupied the eastern and central parts of Ukraine since 1922 and the western part of Ukraine since 1945.

81: The End

 

81 years ago today (August 15, 1945) World War 2 ended with Victory Over Japan Day (V-J Day.)

 

75 Million Men, Women and Children died during World War 2 (1939-1945.)

55 Million of that Number were Civilians.

 

Canada:

In 1939 Canada had a Population of: 11,267,000

42,000 Canadian Soldiers died during the War.

1,600 Canadian Civilians died during the War.

53,174 Canadian Soldiers were Wounded during the War.

 

The United Kingdom:

In 1939 the United Kingdom had a Population of: 47,760,000 (not including British Colonies.)

383,700 British Soldiers died during the War.

67,200 British Civilians died during the War.

376,239 British Soldiers were Wounded during the War.

 

The United States of America:

In 1939 the United States had a Population of: 131,028,000 (not including American Territories of Alaska, Hawaii, the Philippines, Puerto Rico, the US Virgin Islands, etc.)

407,300  American Soldiers died during the War.

12,100 American Civilians died during the War.

671,801 American Soldiers were Wounded during the War.

250: Canadian 4th

Prime Minister of Canada:

Statement by Prime Minister Carney on the United States’ semiquincentennial

July 4, 2026

“Today, as the United States marks 250 years of independence, Canada joins in celebration.

In 1936, President Franklin D. Roosevelt stated: ‘The noblest monument to peace and to neighbourly economic and social friendship in all the world is not a monument in bronze or stone, but the boundary which unites the United States and Canada.’

President Roosevelt spoke these words before our brave women and men fought side by side on the beaches of Normandy, and in the mountains of Korea and Afghanistan. Before we built the St. Lawrence Seaway to connect our economies and the world. Before we created NORAD to defend our shared continent. Before we pushed to the frontiers of space exploration – a shared ambition that took our astronauts to the dark side of the Moon aboard Artemis II.

Canadians and Americans have built our friendship and prosperity one generation at a time. Together, we have stood in the face of tragedy, from American firefighters helping to combat the flames in Fort McMurray, to Canadians opening their homes to stranded American passengers after 9/11. Together, we have built more opportunity and prosperity for our workers than we ever could have apart.

Together, we have raised a monument to peace that is an inspiration to the entire world.

And today, Canadians celebrate America and our enduring friendship. Canada’s embassy in Washington, D.C., will be illuminated, and Niagara Falls will be lit in red, white, and blue. Canadian military vessels will join the American fleet in the Sail250 in Norfolk, Baltimore, and New York City, a proud display of our longstanding defence partnership.

Beyond the lights and the ships, we will also leave a lasting symbol of the roots that connect our peoples: Canada is gifting 250 maple trees to be planted in the U.S. capital and across the 13 U.S. states that border our nation.

On behalf of the Government of Canada, I extend my best wishes to the American people as they celebrate the United States’ 250th birthday.”

 

Premier ministre du Canada

Déclaration du premier ministre Carney à l’occasion du 250e anniversaire des États-Unis

4 juillet 2026

« Aujourd’hui, le Canada se joint aux États-Unis, qui célèbrent le 250e anniversaire de leur indépendance.

En 1936, le président Franklin D. Roosevelt a déclaré : “Le plus noble monument élevé à la paix et à l’amitié économique et sociale entre voisins, dans le monde entier, n’est pas un monument de bronze ou de pierre, mais la frontière qui unit les États-Unis et le Canada.”

Le président Roosevelt a prononcé ces mots avant que nos courageux hommes et femmes ne combattent côte à côte sur les plages de Normandie, dans les montagnes de Corée et en Afghanistan. Avant que nous ne bâtissions la Voie maritime du Saint-Laurent pour relier nos économies au reste du monde. Avant que nous ne créions le Commandement de la défense aérospatiale de l’Amérique du Nord (NORAD) pour défendre notre continent commun. Avant que nous ne repoussions les frontières de l’exploration spatiale – une ambition commune qui a mené nos astronautes jusqu’à la face cachée de la Lune à bord d’Artemis II.

Génération après génération, les habitants du Canada et des États-Unis ont bâti leur amitié et leur prospérité. Ensemble, nous avons fait face à des tragédies, notamment lorsque des pompiers américains nous ont aidés à lutter contre les feux de forêt à Fort McMurray, ou lorsque des citoyens canadiens ont ouvert leurs portes à des passagers américains en détresse après les événements du 11 septembre. Ensemble, nous avons offert à nos travailleurs plus de possibilités et de prospérité que nous n’aurions jamais pu le faire séparément.

Ensemble, nous avons érigé un monument à la paix qui est une source d’inspiration pour le monde entier.

Aujourd’hui, la population canadienne célèbre les États-Unis et notre amitié durable. L’ambassade du Canada à Washington D.C. sera illuminée, et les chutes du Niagara seront également illuminées en rouge, blanc et bleu. À Norfolk, à Baltimore et à New York, des navires militaires canadiens se joindront à la flotte américaine dans le cadre de l’événement Sail250, une fière démonstration de notre partenariat de longue date en matière de défense.

Au-delà des lumières et des navires, nous laisserons également un symbole durable des liens qui unissent nos populations : le Canada offrira aux États-Unis 250 érables qui seront plantés dans la capitale américaine et dans les treize États américains qui bordent notre pays.

Au nom du gouvernement du Canada, j’adresse mes meilleurs vœux à la population américaine à l’occasion du 250e anniversaire des États-Unis. »

Canada Day

 

July 1st is Canada Day (French: Fête du Canada), in Canada. The National Day of Canada.

A Federal Statutory Holiday it celebrates the Anniversary of Canadian Confederation which occurred on July 1, 1867 with the passing of the 1867 British North America Act, when three separate British Colonies of the United Canadas (Ontario and Quebec), Nova Scotia and New Brunswick were united into a single Dominion within the British Empire.

From 1867 until 1982 Canada Day was called Dominion Day.

In 1982 the Holiday was renamed Canada Day the same year the Canadian Constitution was Patriated by the 1982 Canada Act marking Canada’s official independence from the United Kingdom.

Before Patriation in 1982 every Canadian Law had to be approved by the Canadian Parliament in Ottawa, Canada and then be approved by the British Parliament in London, England. It was then given Royal Ascent by the British King or Queen before going back to Canada and getting Royal Ascent from the Canadian King or Queen (after 1952.)

Canada Day celebrations take place throughout the country, as well as in various locations around the world attended by Canadians living abroad.

 

 

Le 1er juillet est la fête du Canada (En anglaise: Canada Day), au Canada. La fête nationale du Canada.

Un jour férié fédéral, il célèbre l'anniversaire de la Confédération canadienne qui a eu lieu le 1er juillet 1867 avec l'adoption de l'Acte de l'Amérique du Nord britannique de 1867, lorsque trois colonies britanniques distinctes du Canada-Uni (Ontario et Québec), de la Nouvelle-Écosse et du Nouveau-Brunswick ont été réunis en un seul Dominion au sein de l'Empire britannique.

De 1867 à 1982, la fête du Canada s'appelait la fête du Dominion.

En 1982, la fête a été renommée Fête du Canada la même année où la Constitution canadienne a été rapatriée par la Loi sur le Canada de 1982 marquant l'indépendance officielle du Canada du Royaume-Uni.

Avant le rapatriement en 1982, chaque loi canadienne devait être approuvée par le Parlement canadien à Ottawa, au Canada, puis approuvée par le Parlement britannique à Londres, en Angleterre. Il a ensuite reçu l'ascension royale du roi ou de la reine britannique avant de retourner au Canada et d'obtenir l'ascension royale du roi ou de la reine du Canada (après 1952.)

Les célébrations de la fête du Canada ont lieu partout au pays, ainsi qu'à divers endroits dans le monde, auxquelles participent des Canadiens vivant à l'étranger.

80: Citizenship Day

The Canadian Citizenship Act

80 years ago today (June 27, 1946) The Canadian Citizenship Act (French: Loi sur la citoyenneté Canadienne) was passed. It created Canadian Citizenship for the first time ever.

Brief Canadian Citizenship History:

From 1633-1763: Those living in the Colony of New France (Quebec) were “French Citizens.” They later automatically became “British Subjects.”

From 1583-1867: Those living in the Colony of British North America (Canada) were “British Subjects”, but not British Citizens.

From 1867- 1914: The British North American Act made those living in Canada “British Subjects with a Connection to the Dominion of Canada.”)

From 1876-2013: The 1876 Indian Act made Indians living in Canada “Wards of the State” subjected to the Federal Government and not the Provinces or Territories. The Federal Government had direct say over what they could and could not do.

It also created a separate “Status Indians” (those who lived on Reservations and are on the Indian Register) and “Non-Status Indians” (those not living on Reservations, not on the Indian Register and neither considered Indians nor Canadians.) Non-Status Indians was done away with in 2013.

From 1914-1946: Those living in Canada became “British Subjects and Canadian Nationals.” The order is important to note.

From 1946-1982: Those living in Canada became “Canadian Citizens and British Subjects.”

In 1953: a separate Canadian Monarchy was created with Queen Elizabeth II (Queen Elizabeth 1 in Canada) becoming the first Canadian Monarch and the First (and so far only) Canadian Queen.

King Charles III is the Current Canadian Monarch and the First (and so far only) Canadian King.

It also created the Canadian Royal Family.

From 1946-1967: Any Canadian Citizen living outside of Canada for 10 years or longer or who acquired Citizenship of another country automatically lost their Canadian Citizenship.

From 1960-1982: Status Indians could also become “Canadian Citizens and British Subjects” if they applied for. It.

From 1976- Present Day: Dual Citizenship is officially allowed in Canada.

From 1982-Present Day:  When Canada became a completely independent country due to Patriation those living in Canada (including Indigenous Peoples) are now “Canadian Citizens and Commonwealth Citizens.”

From 2009- Present Day: Re-instated Canadian Citizenship to those that had automatically lost it between 1946-1976 if they apply for it. Limited Citizenship to the Second Generation born outside of Canada.

In 2014: Gave Canadian Citizenship to “The Lost Canadians” (Those that should have received Canadian Citizenship since 1946, but were denied it by the Canadian Government despite their undeniable ties to Canada.)

Note: I am a dual Canadian and American Citizen as well as a Commonwealth Citizen (through my Canadian Citizenship.)

I am considered a Natural Born Canadian (not Naturalized) and a Natural-Born American (not Naturalized.)

This picture is a stamp that the Royal Mail Canada (today Canada Post) created in 1946 to honor (honour in Canada) the new Canadian Citizenship Law.

NIPD

 

Years Unchanged

The United States of America will be 250 years old on July 4, 2026.

It is one of the oldest Countries in the World (that has remained unchanged  - i.e. a Republic for that whole time.)

 

I know it is Controversial, but I believe a Country’s age doesn’t depend on only when it was First Founded, but when the Last Major Government Restructuring Occurred.

Example: Some People may think that Germany is 155 years old (since it was Unified in 1871), but I consider Germany to be 77 years old (when West Germany was created in 1949) and not 36 years old (when West Germany and East Germany reunited in 1990) because the Current Germany is a continuation of West Germany with the eastern part added to it.

 

Here are some other Countries and how old they are.

Armenia is 35 years old (Independence from the Soviet Union in 1991.)

Australia is 30 years old (The Australia Acts from the United Kingdom in 1986.)

Austria is 71 years old (The Neutrality Act in 1955.)

Bosnia and Herzegovina is 34 years old (Independence from Yugoslavia in 1992.)

Brazil is 204 years old (Independence from Portugal in 1822.)

Canada is 44 years old (Patriation from the United Kingdom in 1982.)

China is 77 years old (Establishment of the Communist People’s Republic in 1949.)

Cuba is 67 years old (Establishment of Communist Cuba in 1959.)

Denmark is 1,061 years old (Unification in 965.)

Egypt is 73 years old (when the Republic declared in 1953.)

France is 68 years old (when the 5^th French Republic was declared in 1958.)

Germany is 77 years old (when West Germany was created in 1949.)

Greece is 52 years old (when the 3^rd Hellenic Republic was declared in 1974.)

India is 76 years old (when the Republic was declared in 1950.)

Iran is 47 years old (when the Islamic Republic was declared in 1979.)

Ireland is 77 years old (when the Republic was declared in 1949.)

Israel is 78 years old (Independence from the United Kingdom in 1948.)

Itay is 80 years old (when the Republic was declared in 1946.)

Japan is 79 years old (when the Empire of Japan ended in 1947.)

Latvia is 35 years old (Independence from the Soviet Union in 1991.)

Liechtenstein is 160 years old (Separation from the German Confederation in 1866.)

Malta is 52 years old (when the Republic was declared in 1974.)

Mexico is 106 years old (the end of the Mexican Revolution in 1920.)

Monaco is 24 years old (the Franco-Monégasque Treaty of 2002.)

The Netherlands is 211 years old (when the Kingdom was established in 1815.)

New Zealand is 39 years old (the Constitution Act of 1987 from the United Kingdom.)

Poland is 37 years old (when the 3^rd Republic was declared in 1989.)

Russia is 35 years old (when the Soviet Union collapsed in 1991.)

South Africa is 65 years old (when the Republic was declared in 1961.)

Spain is 48 years old (when Democracy was restored in 1978.)

Switzerland is 178 years old (when Confederation happened in 1848.)

Ukraine is 35 years old (Independence from the Soviet Union in 1991.)

The United Kingdom is 104 years old (when the Act of Union of Great Briain and Northern Ireland was created in 1922.)

Vatican City is 97 years old (when the Lateran Treaty was signed in 1929.)

Vietnam is 50 years old (when South Vietnam was reunited with North Vietnam in 1976.)

James Doohan

James Doohan

(James Doohan during World War 2 and in Star Trek)

James Doohan was born on March 3, 1920 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.

He was the youngest of four Siblings. 

His Father, William, was born in Belfast, Northern Ireland and was a Pharmacist, Veterinarian, Dentist and a Member of the Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland.

His Mother, Sarah Frances (née Montgomery) was also from Northern Ireland.

James and his Family moved from British Columbia to Sarnia, Ontario.

James attended High School at Sarnia Collegiate Institute and Technical School, where he excelled in Mathematics and Science.

In 1938 he enrolled in the 102nd Royal Canadian Army Cadet Corps which is a National Youth Program across Canada.

When Canada entered World War 2 in September 1939 James enlisted in the Canadian Army, joining the Royal Canadian Artillery, 14th (Midland) Field Battery of the 2nd Canadian Division.

He was later moved to the 13th Field Regiment of the 3rd Canadian Division in their 22nd Field Battery.

In 1940 he was a Lieutenant and sent to the United Kingdom.

On D-Day (June 6, 1944) James landed at Juno Beach in German-Occupied France.

James shot two German Snipers before leading his Men through a field of Anti-Tank Mines to higher ground.

That night, James was hit by 6 rounds (four in his leg, one in his chest and one through his middle right finger) by a nervous Canadian Sentry who thought he was a German.

His right finger had to be amputated (forcing him to hide it later in life with a flesh-colored glove and a fake finger.)

James then graduated from Air Observation Pilot Course 40 and flew Taylorcraft Auster Mark V Aircraft for 666 (AOP) Squadron, RCAF as a Royal Canadian Artillery Officer in support of 1st Army Group Royal Canadian Artillery.

He was nicknamed the “Craziest Pilot in the Canadian Air Force.”

In the Spring of 1945, near RAF Andover in England,  he slammed a Plane between telegraph poles to prove it could be done.

After the War, James moved to London, Ontario, Canada.

Upon hearing a Radio Drama he thought he could do a better job at Voice Acting then the person speaking on the Radio and recorded his voice.

He then went to the Lorne Greene Academy of Radio Arts in Toronto.

From there he won a two year Scholarship to the Neighborhood Playhouse in New York City, where his Classmates included Leslie Nielsen, Tony Randall, and Richard Boone.

In 1946 he was working for CBS Radio commuting between Toronto and New York.

In 1949 he married Janet Young and had four Children together.

They divorced in 1964.

He made his TV Debut as a Detective on the show “Martin Kane, Private Eye” and appeared in 54 episodes.

He performed in over 4,000 Radio Programs and 450 Television Programs during this period,

In 1966 he played the role of Montgomery "Scotty" Scott on “Star Trek: The Original Series” until it ended in 1969.

In 1967 he married Anita Yagel.

They divorced in 1972.

In 1974 he married Wende Braunberger and they had three Children.

He reprised the role for different Stra Trek Movies: Star Trek: The Motion Picture (1979), Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan (1982), Star Trek III: The Search for Spock (1984), Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home (1986), Star Trek V: The Final Frontier (1989), Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country (1991) and Star Trek Generations (1994.)

James Doohan died on July 20, 2005, at his home in Redmond, Washington, due to Complications of Pulmonary Fibrosis, which was believed to be from exposure to Noxious Substances during World War II.

He was 85 years old.

Canadian Languages

 

Canada has been Officially Bilingual since 1969 (57 years.)

Despite that the vast majority of Canadians only speak 1 Language (either French or English.)

The Federal Government is Officially Bilingual and its Employees including Politicians are expected to know both English and French.

8 Provinces (Ontario, Nova Scotia, Manitoba, British Colombia, Prince Edward Island, Saskatchewan, Alberta and Newfoundland and Labrador) have English as their Official Provincial Language.

1 Province (Quebec) has French as their Official Provincial Language.

1 Province (New Brunswick) has both English and French as their Official Provincial Languages.

1 Territory (Yukon) has both English and French as their Official Territorial Languages.

1 Territory (Nunavut) has English, French, Inuinnaqtun and Inuktitut as their Official Territorial Languages.

1 Territory (the Northwest Territories) has Chipewyan, Cree, English, French, Gwichʼin, Inuinnaqtun, Inuktitut, Inuvialuktun, North Slavey, South Slavey and Tłįch as their Official Territorial Languages.

22% (8,066,633) of all Canadians speak only French

76% (27,881,228) of all Canadians speak only English.

18% (6,581,680) of all Canadians are Bilingual in English and French.

As a Dual Canadian-American Citizen I can say I am one of the 18% of Canadians who are Bilingual in both English and French.

Joseph John “J.J.” Belanger

Joseph John “J.J.” Belanger

( J.J. Belanger at age 17 as a Member of the Royal Canadian Armoured Corps in June 1940.)

Joseph John “J.J.” Belanger was born on January 24, 1925 in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.

He enlisted in the Military at 17 years old during the Second World War.

He served first in the Royal Canadian Armoured Corps from 1940-1942 and then as a Wireless Air Gunner in the Royal Canadian Air Force from 1942-1944.

He flew in Lancaster Bombers on Raids over German-Occupied Europe.

During one Mission in mid-1944, Enemy Fire hit JJ’s plane and he was wounded by shrapnel.

The Crew had to bail out along the coast of France where JJ spent three days in a small dingy before being rescued.

Only three of the Plane’s eight Crew Members survived.

One of the dead was the Bomber Pilot, an Australian named Gordon and JJ.’s Lover.

They had met at the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan base in Winnipeg earlier in the War and had spent much time together.

This tragic loss was very hard for JJ and was made even worse because their love had to be hidden from the wider world.

Grieving the death of his Partner too openly would have caused problems, so he couldn’t express the full depth of his sorrow.

During the War, JJ came out to his Family and to Gordon’s Parent - who lived in England.

He believed that if he were to die in the War he should at least be true to himself even though being Homosexual was illegal in Canada, the United Kingdom, Germany and the United States.

He was awarded a Defense Medal, Canadian Voluntary Service Medal, and War Medal for his Service.

After the War, he returned to Civilian Life and moved to the West Coast.

As a Researcher JJ helped Dr. Alfred Kinsey who expanded the field of Sexuality during that Era.

JJ served in the US Air Force – joining in 1954.

He served for five years, earning numerous Commendations including the Aviation Badge, Good Conduct Medal and Outstanding Airman of the 26th Air Refueling Squadron.

Joseph John “J.J.” Belanger died on January 26, 1993, two days after his 70th Birthday. 

In 2014, Photographs of JJ were found.

It is of JJ and Robert Block kissing in a Photo Booth at the Playland Amusement Park in Vancouver, British Colombia, Canada in 1953.

JJ lived as openly as a Gay Man in the 1940s-1960s.

(A photo booth picture taken in Vancouver in 1953 of J. J. Belanger (left) and Robert Block.)

Being Gay was Illegal in Canada until 1969 and was considered a Mental Illness until 1973,

Gays couldn’t openly serve in the Canadian Military until 1992 and Gays couldn’t marry throughout Canada until 2005.

That means that JJ would have been imprisoned for being openly Gay, could have been put into a Mental institution and would have been thrown out of the Canadian Military (even during Wartime) and was never allowed to marry in Canada.

Being Gay was illegal in the United States until 2003 (Nationwide and was considered a Mental Illness until 1973.

Gays couldn’t openly serve in the American Military until 2011 and couldn’t marry until 2015 (Nationwide – except for some Indian Reservations and in American Samoa.)

That means that JJ would have been imprisoned for being openly Gay, could have been put into a Mental Institution and would have been thrown out of the American Military and was never allowed to marry in the United States.

JJ was forced to live a Double-Life where on the one-hand he risked his life protecting Canadians and Americans while serving in the Canadian and American Militaries while on the other-hand having to hide the fact that he was Gay.

Gay Pride Month

June is Gay Pride Month.

Many People think that Discrimination of Homosexuals is something of the past, but unfortunately, Homosexuals have become a favored scapegoat for Modern-day Politicians and Other People who are trying to deflect away from the real problems occurring (Mass Shootings, Scandals, High Unemployment, Lack of Security, the Rise of Dictatorships, the increase of Hate Crimes, etc.)

I am not Gay, but I stand with the Gays.

 

As of June 2026 38 Countries recognize Same-Sex Marriage:

 

The Netherlands (nationwide since 2016)

Belgium (since 2003)

Spain (nationwide since 2005)

Canada (nationwide since 2005)

South Africa (since 2006)

Norway (since 2009)

Sweden (since 2009)

Portugal (nationwide since 2010)

Iceland (since 2010)

Argentina (since 2010)

Denmark (nationwide since 2017)

Brazil (nationwide since 2013)

France (nationwide since 2013)

Uruguay (since 2013)

New Zealand (since 2013 – except in Niue)

Luxembourg (since 2015)

The United States (since 2015 – except some Indian Reservations and the US Territory of American Samoa)

Ireland (since 2015)

Columbia (since 2016)

Estonia (since 2024)

Finland (since 2017)

Germany (since 2017)

Greece (since 2024)

Malta (since 2017)

Australia (nationwide since 2017)

Austria (since 2019)

Taiwan (since 2019)

The United Kingdom (England since 2014, Wales since 2014, South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands since 2014, British Indian Ocean Territory since 2014, Akrotiri and Dhekelia since 2014, Pitcairn Islands since 2015, Isle of Man since 2016, Gibraltar since 2016, Ascension Island since 2017, the Falkland Islands since 2017, Saint Helena since 2017, Alderney since 2018, Jersey since 2018, Northern Ireland since 2020, Sark since 2020, Guernsey since 2017)

Ecuador (since 2019)

Costa Rica (since 2020)

Chile (since 2022)

Switzerland (since 2022)

Slovenia (since 2022)

Cuba (since 2022)

Mexico (nationwide since 2022)

Andorra (since 2023)

Aruba and Curacao – part of the Netherlands (since 2024)

Liechtenstein (since 2025)

Thailand (since 2025)

You don't have to be Homosexual to support Equal Rights for Gays and Lesbians.

You just have to be Straight and not Narrow.