Why was the battle for Vimy Ridge important to Canada?
Vimy Ridge will forever hold an important place in the history of Canada and in the hearts and minds of Canadians. Canada, as a young, independent nation fought and triumphed over adversity. It was 92 years ago, on Easter Monday of 1917, that the four Divisions of the Canadian Corps, fighting side-by-side for the first time, captured Vimy Ridge.The Canadian commanders devised an innovative battle plan, and it was executed to near-perfection. It was the day a young Canada marked out its own place on the world stage.However, the glory Canada won on that day was not without a price. By the fourth day, April 12, our Canadians controlled the entire ridge. But they suffered more than 10,000 casualties. Of those, 3,598 were lost forever. Their sacrifice was not in vain. They defended with honour the values upon which our country was founded: freedom, democracy and the rule of law. The same values which Canada’s men and women in uniform are currently defending around the world. Today, 92 years
