#10. "The sensual mysticism of entire vertical being."
This photo made the list because I found that the headless
image of our CN tower made for a slightly demure, haunting vibe. Since the
tower has been there for as long as any of us can remember, it seems weird to
see it in the process of birth. This reminds us of the fact
that Toronto grows continuously, incessantly expanding and renovating to meet the needs of its thriving population.
The idea for such a tower originated in 1968. The Canadian National Railway company wanted to construct a large radio and TV communications platform. Their other motive also included the demonstration of a powerful Canadian industry - the structure must be noticeable, and impressively so. Surprisingly, it was only partway through construction that builders realized it had the potential to become the world's tallest structure (a title which it then held for 34 years). In current day and with good visibility, the CN tower can be seen almost 100 miles away to Niagra Falls and New York.
Construction began on February 6th, 1973. Steel cable, built to a thickness of 6.7 metres and amassing 36 tons were used in the foundation. Concrete was poured continuously by a team of 1,532 people to form the structure until February 22nd of 1974. After 26 months of construction, the CN tower was topped off (with helicopters flying up antenna pieces) on April 2nd, 1975. It actually snagged the record from Moscow's Onstankino Tower with a new height of 1,815 ft. In 1995, the American Society of Civil Engineers declared Toronto's tall tower as one of the modern Seven Wonders of the World. It also holds a second-place ranking in the World Federation of Great Towers.
These nights, the 1,300 LED lights placed in its elevator shafts are lit seasonally to commemorate different events - such as red, for World AIDS day and a period during autumn bird migrations, when lights are dimmed. Every night it is lit from dusk until 2 AM, costing about $1,000/month to operate.
The Canadian National Tower is the icon of the Toronto skyline. Ultimately, it is a icon of Canada herself. Every year, it attracts over 2 million international visitors and remains to be the tallest free-standing structure in the western hemisphere. Symbolically, it is the biggest representation of Canadian ability in urban architecture, design and engineering.
The idea for such a tower originated in 1968. The Canadian National Railway company wanted to construct a large radio and TV communications platform. Their other motive also included the demonstration of a powerful Canadian industry - the structure must be noticeable, and impressively so. Surprisingly, it was only partway through construction that builders realized it had the potential to become the world's tallest structure (a title which it then held for 34 years). In current day and with good visibility, the CN tower can be seen almost 100 miles away to Niagra Falls and New York.
Construction began on February 6th, 1973. Steel cable, built to a thickness of 6.7 metres and amassing 36 tons were used in the foundation. Concrete was poured continuously by a team of 1,532 people to form the structure until February 22nd of 1974. After 26 months of construction, the CN tower was topped off (with helicopters flying up antenna pieces) on April 2nd, 1975. It actually snagged the record from Moscow's Onstankino Tower with a new height of 1,815 ft. In 1995, the American Society of Civil Engineers declared Toronto's tall tower as one of the modern Seven Wonders of the World. It also holds a second-place ranking in the World Federation of Great Towers.
These nights, the 1,300 LED lights placed in its elevator shafts are lit seasonally to commemorate different events - such as red, for World AIDS day and a period during autumn bird migrations, when lights are dimmed. Every night it is lit from dusk until 2 AM, costing about $1,000/month to operate.
The Canadian National Tower is the icon of the Toronto skyline. Ultimately, it is a icon of Canada herself. Every year, it attracts over 2 million international visitors and remains to be the tallest free-standing structure in the western hemisphere. Symbolically, it is the biggest representation of Canadian ability in urban architecture, design and engineering.
#9. "I see no reason why 1931 should not be an extremely good year."
Ninth on the list is a photo of the Great Depression that I found even more provocative than lines outside food banks, or resumes scribbled on cardboard and hung around men's necks. This photo was chosen because you can see the desperate hunger of these people as they eat. There is no conversation or smiles around the table. These are not people you would see frequent a soup kitchen - men in bowler hats and pea coats, whose attire suggest that they may have led good lives before the shock of a worldwide economic fall. It was a time when the homeless ate in the same room as the middle class, a time when the Great Depression pulled everyone down to be nothing more than jobless and hungry.
When the Canadian economy reached its absolute bottom in 1932, we had struggled through a decline of almost 35% in per capita gross domestic product. Part of this staggering loss was due to a heavy dependence on raw material and farm exports, worsened by the prairie drought. Global trade fell and unemployment rose quickly. Canada, as one of the hardest-hit nations, found that 30% of the labour force was out of work by 1933. 1 in 5 Canadians had turned to government relief for pure survival. Though many people attribute the Depression to a stock market crash, there is also general consensus among economists that the "Dirty Thirties" was the result of global drops in world commodity prices and sudden declines in economic demand and credit.
There was an uneven impact through the nation. One third of Canada's Gross National Income came from exports - the four western provinces (such as B.C and Alberta) were the most dependent on primary product exports, and in turn became the most affected regions. For farmers, challenges of drought, hail storms and grasshoppers caused enormous crop failures. 66% of the rural population in Saskatchewan was forced into relief. Ontario and Quebec fared better because they had diverse industrial economies, which produced and serviced a protected domestic market. The hardest-hit groups were farmers, owners of small businesses and immigrants. Almost 30,000 newcomers were forced to return to their countries of origin because of illness or unemployment. Single homeless men could not find government aid, so unemployment relief camps were established. Working for 20 cents a day in construction, tensions mounted and the Regina Riot became a direct protest against the conditions in these relief camps.
As a result of the Depression, many political parties came to power with strong ideas. In Quebec especially, the Union Nationale was created in lead by the conservative leader Maurice Duplessis.
The breakout of a second World War in 1939 greatly helped to bring the country out of depression. The Keynesian Theory became apart of government policy and by 1942, the extreme state expenditure of war finally reduced unemployment.
When the Canadian economy reached its absolute bottom in 1932, we had struggled through a decline of almost 35% in per capita gross domestic product. Part of this staggering loss was due to a heavy dependence on raw material and farm exports, worsened by the prairie drought. Global trade fell and unemployment rose quickly. Canada, as one of the hardest-hit nations, found that 30% of the labour force was out of work by 1933. 1 in 5 Canadians had turned to government relief for pure survival. Though many people attribute the Depression to a stock market crash, there is also general consensus among economists that the "Dirty Thirties" was the result of global drops in world commodity prices and sudden declines in economic demand and credit.
There was an uneven impact through the nation. One third of Canada's Gross National Income came from exports - the four western provinces (such as B.C and Alberta) were the most dependent on primary product exports, and in turn became the most affected regions. For farmers, challenges of drought, hail storms and grasshoppers caused enormous crop failures. 66% of the rural population in Saskatchewan was forced into relief. Ontario and Quebec fared better because they had diverse industrial economies, which produced and serviced a protected domestic market. The hardest-hit groups were farmers, owners of small businesses and immigrants. Almost 30,000 newcomers were forced to return to their countries of origin because of illness or unemployment. Single homeless men could not find government aid, so unemployment relief camps were established. Working for 20 cents a day in construction, tensions mounted and the Regina Riot became a direct protest against the conditions in these relief camps.
As a result of the Depression, many political parties came to power with strong ideas. In Quebec especially, the Union Nationale was created in lead by the conservative leader Maurice Duplessis.
The breakout of a second World War in 1939 greatly helped to bring the country out of depression. The Keynesian Theory became apart of government policy and by 1942, the extreme state expenditure of war finally reduced unemployment.
#8. "No one ever had an idea in a dress suit."
Frederick Banting was born on November 14th, 1891 in a farm house as the youngest of 5 children. He attended school in Alliston, Ontario and later attempted to enlist in the army, though refused due to poor eyesight. After his time at the University of Toronto, Banting made another try and enlisted in the Canadian Army Medical Corps during World War I. Wounded at the battle of Cambrai, Banting showed outstanding performance as he continued to help 16 other men despite his own condition. Soon he would go on to change the lives of many more around the globe.
During his time at UofT, he read an article about the pancreas and an interest in diabetes was born. In short, the disease restricts the body's ability to produce or use insulin, a crucial element to the regulation of blood sugar levels. Banting's hypothesis was that a specific part of the pancreas produced some kind of substance that could treat diabetes. However, the challenge was to find a way extract this insulin from the pancreas, which had a self-destructing method where it would secrete insulin and then proceeded to obliterate it. Banting realized a procedure that would keep the insulin intact, enabling its extraction from the pancreas. With the assistance of his long-time colleague and friend Dr. Charles Best, the two began the production of insulin by these means. And thus a legacy in medicine was born. Parents began to rush to the doors of the University with their sick children and around the world, hospitals would now be able to fully treat victims of diabetes with this miraculous discovery. In 1923, he would become the first Canadian to be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. Banting immediately called for the attribution of the prize to Best as well - when denied, he halved the prize money with his colleague. Later on, The Banting and Best Department of Medical Research was created in their honor at UofT and his house in London, Ontario was declared a National Historic Site of Canada.
In March of 1941, Banting was once again engaged in military work. The bomber in which he flew crashed into the wilds of Newfoundland. Banting managed to dress pilot Captain Joseph Mackey's wounds before he lapsed out of conscious and died, a hero to his very last moment. Today, a burning tribute is still alight for Banting, Best, and all the people who have lost their lives to diabetes. It was established in 1989 as the "Flame of Hope" and will continue to burn until a cure for diabetes is found.
During his time at UofT, he read an article about the pancreas and an interest in diabetes was born. In short, the disease restricts the body's ability to produce or use insulin, a crucial element to the regulation of blood sugar levels. Banting's hypothesis was that a specific part of the pancreas produced some kind of substance that could treat diabetes. However, the challenge was to find a way extract this insulin from the pancreas, which had a self-destructing method where it would secrete insulin and then proceeded to obliterate it. Banting realized a procedure that would keep the insulin intact, enabling its extraction from the pancreas. With the assistance of his long-time colleague and friend Dr. Charles Best, the two began the production of insulin by these means. And thus a legacy in medicine was born. Parents began to rush to the doors of the University with their sick children and around the world, hospitals would now be able to fully treat victims of diabetes with this miraculous discovery. In 1923, he would become the first Canadian to be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. Banting immediately called for the attribution of the prize to Best as well - when denied, he halved the prize money with his colleague. Later on, The Banting and Best Department of Medical Research was created in their honor at UofT and his house in London, Ontario was declared a National Historic Site of Canada.
In March of 1941, Banting was once again engaged in military work. The bomber in which he flew crashed into the wilds of Newfoundland. Banting managed to dress pilot Captain Joseph Mackey's wounds before he lapsed out of conscious and died, a hero to his very last moment. Today, a burning tribute is still alight for Banting, Best, and all the people who have lost their lives to diabetes. It was established in 1989 as the "Flame of Hope" and will continue to burn until a cure for diabetes is found.
#7. "WEll, Just watch me."
This is a photo which stunned our nation - politics had never been so violent in Canada.
The 10th of October, 1970 (The Beginning of the October Crisis):
Seven Days Later, (The End of the October Crisis):
Though not pictured here, British diplomat James Cross was also kidnapped and he managed to return safely. These violent events made a time known as the October Crisis of 1970. PM Pierre Trudeau invoked the War Measures Act to contend, which led to mass raids and arrests to find the members of the FLQ. He said: "Nothing that either the Government of Canada or Quebec has done or failed to do, now or in the future, could possibly excuse any injury to either of these two innocent men. The gun pointed at their heads have FLQ fingers on the trigger."
The FLQ was a separatist and Marxist-Leninist group in Quebec. It supported the province sovereignty moment with violent methods. The group was responsible for over 160 incidents, including the bombing of the Montreal Stock Exchange in 1969. These kidnappings were acts of culmination as the FLQ called for the overthrow of the Quebec government, its independence from the rest of Canada and the establishment of a French-speaking Quebec "Worker's Society". The group had actually bought a house, which they named "The Little Free Quebec" and it quickly became a safe spot for members Paul rose, Jacques Rose, Francis Simar and Nigel Hamer. Along with the release of political prisoners, the FLQ also demanded items such as $500,000 in gold and the broadcast and publication of the FLQ Manifesto. After its capture in 1970, the group eventually fell apart. Nevertheless, it initiated a horrifying episode in Canadian political history and further highlighted the problems between the French and English-speakers of Canada.
The 10th of October, 1970 (The Beginning of the October Crisis):
- Minister of Labour Pierre Laporte is playing football with his nephew in the front yard of his home.
- He is approached by members of the FLQ (Front de Libération du Québec) and held at gunpoint.
- They force him into a vehicle and he is carted away.
- The FLQ dub him as the "Minster of Unemployment and Assimilation"
- The release of 23 political prisoners was demanded in exchange for his freedom.
Seven Days Later, (The End of the October Crisis):
- Laporte's body is found lifeless from strangulation, wrapped and bagged in the trunk of a car.
- His kidnappers were captured and sentenced terms ranging from 7-11 years.
Though not pictured here, British diplomat James Cross was also kidnapped and he managed to return safely. These violent events made a time known as the October Crisis of 1970. PM Pierre Trudeau invoked the War Measures Act to contend, which led to mass raids and arrests to find the members of the FLQ. He said: "Nothing that either the Government of Canada or Quebec has done or failed to do, now or in the future, could possibly excuse any injury to either of these two innocent men. The gun pointed at their heads have FLQ fingers on the trigger."
The FLQ was a separatist and Marxist-Leninist group in Quebec. It supported the province sovereignty moment with violent methods. The group was responsible for over 160 incidents, including the bombing of the Montreal Stock Exchange in 1969. These kidnappings were acts of culmination as the FLQ called for the overthrow of the Quebec government, its independence from the rest of Canada and the establishment of a French-speaking Quebec "Worker's Society". The group had actually bought a house, which they named "The Little Free Quebec" and it quickly became a safe spot for members Paul rose, Jacques Rose, Francis Simar and Nigel Hamer. Along with the release of political prisoners, the FLQ also demanded items such as $500,000 in gold and the broadcast and publication of the FLQ Manifesto. After its capture in 1970, the group eventually fell apart. Nevertheless, it initiated a horrifying episode in Canadian political history and further highlighted the problems between the French and English-speakers of Canada.
#6. o canada, our home and hockey land!
"We were all sitting on the gym floor at my grade school...there were maybe 10 TVS lined up...They shut down every class. We had kindergarten to grade 8, so imagine the entire school in one gym...And I was sitting on a hardwood floor for three hours to watch that game." -Colorado Head Coach Bob Hartley, recalling his experience on the day of the final Summit Series game.
Considered by many to be the greatest moment in Canada's sporting history, the 1972 Summit Series was a long and hard-fought battle between Canada and the Soviet Union. It took the best players from both countries and put them on the ice in a head-to-head combat fueled by national pride. The result was a spectacular Canadian victory.
Every Canadian knows hockey isn't just a sport. It's our sport. In the midst of the Cold War, Canadian hockey supremacy was challenged by the USSR. However, this series wasn't just a game. It was a democratic power challenged by a communist one. Tensions between world leaders were at an all-time high, and as Edmonton General Manager Kevin Lowe says: "I remember being very patriotic... at the time the Cold War was on and the Russians seemed like aliens to us. This was almost as much about war as it was about our national sport." That's why on the 28th of September, 1972, all of Canada - schools, offices, radios, homes and stores stopped to watch the last game. Anticipation was thick - the Soviets had taken Game 1 in a 7-3 whipping on our home turf and still led the next 4 games. The Canadians began to ascend, with Paul Henderson also scoring winning goals in Games 6 and 7. The series was now at a tie - three victories for each team and one tie. Game 8 stopped factory productions, wheeled TVs into every school gym and even halted Parliament debates. People without TV's cluttered around tiny little radios, hanging onto every word in commentary.
By the 3rd period, everyone was beginning to sweat - the Soviets had a 5-3 lead. Then, Phil Esposito and Yvan Cournoyer managed to tie the game. In the final minute, Paul Henderson shot the puck past legendary goalkeeper Vladislav Tretiak and the series was over. The win was an amazing uproar, and for years to come Canadians would hear about it 100 times over. There was a dramatic influence on Canadian hockey - the NHL saw the superior conditioning of the Russian team, the emphasis on skill over strength and the discipline of these men who played like it was life or death. The Summit Series changed the face of Canadian hockey.
All in all, it was an amazing moment in Canadian history that crystallized the the pride in our people and culture. The Summit Series was the one to win - the series was not about a sport. It encompassed global war and national pride, giving Canadians the fierce motivation and hope that was much needed during cold years.
Considered by many to be the greatest moment in Canada's sporting history, the 1972 Summit Series was a long and hard-fought battle between Canada and the Soviet Union. It took the best players from both countries and put them on the ice in a head-to-head combat fueled by national pride. The result was a spectacular Canadian victory.
Every Canadian knows hockey isn't just a sport. It's our sport. In the midst of the Cold War, Canadian hockey supremacy was challenged by the USSR. However, this series wasn't just a game. It was a democratic power challenged by a communist one. Tensions between world leaders were at an all-time high, and as Edmonton General Manager Kevin Lowe says: "I remember being very patriotic... at the time the Cold War was on and the Russians seemed like aliens to us. This was almost as much about war as it was about our national sport." That's why on the 28th of September, 1972, all of Canada - schools, offices, radios, homes and stores stopped to watch the last game. Anticipation was thick - the Soviets had taken Game 1 in a 7-3 whipping on our home turf and still led the next 4 games. The Canadians began to ascend, with Paul Henderson also scoring winning goals in Games 6 and 7. The series was now at a tie - three victories for each team and one tie. Game 8 stopped factory productions, wheeled TVs into every school gym and even halted Parliament debates. People without TV's cluttered around tiny little radios, hanging onto every word in commentary.
By the 3rd period, everyone was beginning to sweat - the Soviets had a 5-3 lead. Then, Phil Esposito and Yvan Cournoyer managed to tie the game. In the final minute, Paul Henderson shot the puck past legendary goalkeeper Vladislav Tretiak and the series was over. The win was an amazing uproar, and for years to come Canadians would hear about it 100 times over. There was a dramatic influence on Canadian hockey - the NHL saw the superior conditioning of the Russian team, the emphasis on skill over strength and the discipline of these men who played like it was life or death. The Summit Series changed the face of Canadian hockey.
All in all, it was an amazing moment in Canadian history that crystallized the the pride in our people and culture. The Summit Series was the one to win - the series was not about a sport. It encompassed global war and national pride, giving Canadians the fierce motivation and hope that was much needed during cold years.