The nations of Europe were at war soon after the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria-Hungary. The First World War was fought from 1914 to 1918. More than 650,000 Canadians and Newfoundlanders served in this war, then called The Great War. More than 66,000 of our service members gave their lives and more than 172,000 were wounded. Their contributions and sacrifices earned Canada a separate signature on the Treaty of Versailles. This Treaty formally ended the war. These wartime efforts helped Canada gain new respect on the international stage as an independent country.
ORDER OF EVENTS
4 August 1914
First World War begins
22 April 1915
Canadians see first major action at Ypres
1 July 1916
Newfoundland Regiment suffers heavy losses at Beaumont-Hamel
9 April 1917
Canadians take Vimy Ridge
14 April 1917
Newfoundland Regiment holds off the enemy at Monchy-le-Preux
15-25 August 1917
Canadians take part in the Battle of Hill 70
November 1917
Canadians capture Passchendaele in muddy battle
17 December 1917
Some Canadian women first get to vote a in a federal election
8 August 1918
Battle of Amiens and “Canada's Hundred Days” begin
11 November 1918
Armistice signed ending the war
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