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One hundred and forty-six years ago today, a strange, improbable, and fantastic country came into being. Its the most awesome place in the world, for a lot of reasons, but there are two that mean the most to me.
First, its my home and native land, and I'd be glad to stand on guard for it.
Second, its the most tolerant country in the world for trans people like me. Nowhere else would be as welcoming, and I am so proud of my countrymen for that.
Happy Canada Day, everybody.
Comments
uhm actually
1965 is the year canada became a country in its own right. We were still under british rule till then.
In fact it was in 1931 that
In fact it was in 1931 that the Statute of Westminster gave Canada full independence. Until then the British had maintained control of Canada's foreign affairs. Interestingly, Queen Elizabeth II is still the head of state, just as she is in Australia.
But to all intents and purposes 1867 was the year that Canada became a country in its own right.
So happy anniversary from this side of the Atlantic.
This could be confusing...
for Americans. Many seem to think she is just the Queen of England. At least that is what seems to be the comment heard most often.
United Kingdom, Canada,
United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Jamaica, Barbados, the Bahamas, Grenada, Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands, Tuvalu, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Belize, Antigua and Barbuda, and Saint Kitts and Nevis.
Plus a few more
Gibraltar, St Helena and so on. She's also head of the Commonwealth and the Church of England, but no longer Empress of India.
Angharad
Also...
She's also Lord of Mann, meaning the Isle of Man, and is the personalization of the Crown Right of Jersey and Guernsey, each separately. Those three are Crown Dependencies, self-governing but not sovereign, kind of like Puerto Rico and Nunavut but completely different. They are NOT part of the UK. Also she is ceremonial Duke of a couple of ancient divisions of the UK that are not independent anymore, Cornwall and Lancaster, I think.
This is what happens when you have a ~1000 year old governing entity; things get complicated. :)
The US has states, territories, tribes, commonwealths, possessions, protectorates and extraterritorialities but all but the last two are considered part of the US. Technically the states and tribes are sovereign but only in dealing with each other, not with outside governments. And we're only 237 years old. :)
Canada has gone down that road, too with the creation of Nunavut and the complex relationship with Quebec. Then there are two islands off of Newfoundland that Canada sort of has a hand in governing, though technically they are part of -- France! (Accidentally left out of the 1760 treaty ceding Canada to Great Britain.) LOL.
= Give everyone the benefit of the doubt because certainty is a fragile thing that can be shattered by one overlooked fact.
All this other notwithstanding.....
The United States of America has the single oldest government of any country currently in existence. Hard to believe, but true. All other countries have had major changes in their governance while we have continued on under the same government since the ratification of the Constitution.
As for being proud to stand up for your country, I have done so, and would do so again if needed. I would also stand up for any number of allied countries, Canada amongst them. In time of need, all good people rally together - not necessarily around a flag, but around an ideal.
Congratulations to our younger cousins to the north on your birthday!
As to Gettysburg, this was the bloodiest battle in our history. Over the course of three days, there were over 51,000 casualties. Far surpassing any other battle in our history. A day that all of us who lost relatives there remember. Two members of my family fell that day - one with Jackson, and one with Longstreet.
Dallas
D. Eden
Dum Vivimus, Vivamus
I prefer the old one ....
The lily, thistle, shamrock, rose
The Maple Leaf forever.
Red MacDonald
A happy day for Canada, and a
A happy day for Canada, and a sad day for the U.S. Today is the 150th Anniversary of the start of the Battle of Gettysburg.
God bless us, every one!
The UK, The British Overseas Territories and Crown Dependencies, and The Commonwealth of Nations. And please don't forget your upstart cousin to the south of Canada who share the special relationship.
Those of us who really understand our history still consider ourselves to be friends and family and are very aware that our country was founded on British principles and law and, when it counts, we are very much one people who will join in common cause. Had there been no British Empire there could be no USA.
So Happy Canada Day and big hugs from your family to the south!
Ole
We are each exactly as God made us. God does not make mistakes!
Gender rights are the new civil rights!