Happy 142nd, Canada!
I thought it would be appropriate to demonstrate some of the differences between the US and Canada.
To all my American friends, I apologize in advance for destroying any of your notions of Canada.
Facts about Canada that very, very few Americans know:
Canada has 10 Provinces and 3 Territories.
Canada is the 2nd largest country in the world, next to Russia.
Canada is the US's biggest trading partner, and vice versa.
Canada fought in WWI alongside Britain. See: Vimy Ridge.
Canada fought in WWII alongside Britain and the US, and had it's own beach on D-Day. See: Juno Beach
At the end of WWII, Canada has one of the largest armed forces in the world.
Things you probably didn't know about Canada:
The official sport of Canada is NOT hockey. It's lacrosse.
Canada did NOT participate in Vietnam. However, about 23,000 Canadians volunteered for the conflict and enlisted in the US armed forces.
Canada is the US' largest oil provider.
Canada and the US' only serious conflict, the war of 1812, was a draw.
Toronto has the 3rd largest number of live theaters in the world, after NY and London.
Canada doesn't have the death penalty, and generally will not extradite criminals until that option is taken off the table.
Gay marriage is legal everywhere in Canada.
Canada has already had a female Prime Minister and a female Chief Justice.
A US military honor guard once displayed the Canadian flag upside down.
Canada has the only monument to peacekeepers in the world.
Canada had a cancer survivor and leg amputee by the name of Terry Fox attempt to run across the country. He made it 3,339 miles (about halfway) before his cancer made it impossible for him to continue. He died shortly thereafter, at the age of 23.
I hope you've enjoyed this taste of Canada on the day of it's founding.