Happy 143rd Birthday Canada!

Did you know that one July 1^st 1867, the British Government approved a plan which allowed Canada to become an independent country with its own government? The new nation was called the Dominion of Canada and had only four provinces; Ontario, Quebec, Nova Scotia and New Brunswick. Now, over one hundred years later, Canada boasts a population of over 30 million people inhabiting its 10 provinces and three territories. As Canada celebrates its 143^rd birthday Canadians should sit back and read a little bit about what makes this nation amazing.

Here are ten great reasons why we should be proud to call ourselves CANADIANS:

10. In 1921, Canada became famous when two Canadians, Frederick Banting and Charles Best, discovered a treatment for diabetes, which they called Insulin

9. In 1897, Alexander Graham Bell invented the telephone. Over 100 years later Mike Lazaridis created the now infamously called "Crackberry"; yes, the Blackberry was a Canadian invention!

8. In 1874 Henry Woodward & Mathew Evans patented the world's first electric light bulb. They then decided to sell their patent to Thomas Edison and the rest, as they say, is history.

7. Canadians also invented a number of very popular sports. In 1908, Thomas F. Ryan invented Five Pin Bowling. Basketball was created by a Canadian named James Naismith in 1982. Lastly, although the actual original of ice hockey is not known, the modern rules that players follow where devised by a Canadian, JGA Creighton. Also, in 1959 Jacques Plante, a goalie, debuted the first Goalie Mask that would forever protect the faces of our beloved hockey players.

6. Lacrosse is one of the oldest team sports in the Americans and its origins can be traced back to the 12^th century. The game was played by a number Native American tribes including the Huron and Iroquois tribes. Lacrosse was often a part of a religious ritual or it was a way to settle feuds amongst warriors. Some lacrosse games between tribe's couple last for days.

5. The next time you order yourself a Caesar, remember that it was invented in 1969 by a fellow Canadian, Walter Chell in Calgary. The drink was originally named after the Roman Emperor. Mott's Clamato claims that Chell served the very first Caesar to an Englishman who exclaimed: that's a good bloody Caesar!

4. Taking out the garbage? In 1950, Harry Wasylyk, Karry Hansen and Frank Plomp, invented the green garbage bag that simplified millions of lives across the globe.

3. Every morning ladies across the nation open their lingerie drawers and pull out the perfect under wire push-up bra that accents their assets in all the right ways. Well ladies, in 1964 Louis Poirier, a Montreal lingerie designer, invented that wondrous Wonderbra that we just can't live without. Thank you Louise!

2. Buttons and Buckles and Clasps, oh my! Could you imagine a world without the zipper? Thankfully, Gideon Sundback introduced the zipper in 1913 forever changing the face of fashion.

1. In the end, it is so hard to just pick ten items that Canadians have done to change the world. We are a nation known for its beautiful landscapes, its friendly population and its rich and vibrant history. This Canada Day when you're out celebrating with friends and family, remember to hold your head up high because YOU ARE CANADIAN!

I hope everyone has a safe and happy Canada Day

xoxo

Yvonne Ivanescu

Yvonne Ivanescu
		About the author:
		A self-proclaimed travel fanatic, Yvonne has had the opportunity to travel to many amazing and exotic countries over the years. Her favorite spot overall was her unforgettable trip to Egypt. Her journey to Paris was particularly special, as it was the Journalism School at Sciences Po that reignited her passion for writing and journalism. Since returning from France, Yvonne has interned at Vervegirl Magazine and MTV Canada while freelancing for a number of other publications. She has an Honors B.Soc.Sc in International Studies with a minor in Spanish and French and is currently pursuing her Masters in International Development and Globalization with a Specialization in Women's Studies.
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