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Ottawa

Canada's Capital


Where the Rideau River meets the Ottawa River sits Canada's capital. It was founded as a small, hard-scrabble logging settlement in the mid-19th Century, little known in the growing cities of Montreal or Toronto. As the idea of a Canadian nation began to take shape, at its heart was the spirit of compromise between the Francophone people of Quebec, and the growing Anglophone community in Ontario. When it came time to choose a capital for this new nation, the decision-makers sought a compromise. They wanted somewhere unassuming and unimportant, on the border between the two provinces, bridging the gap between French and English. They decided on Ottawa.

We respectfully acknowledge that Ottawa is on the traditional unceded territory of the Algonquin Anishnaabeg people.

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 Ottawa

Then and Now Photos

Nuclear Bomb


Nuclear Bomb Nuclear Bomb
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Library & Archives Canada No. 4717353

1950s

Ilustration of the possible damaged inflicted by a nuclear bomb published by the Canada Emergency Measures Organization

Parliament Hill Bluffs


Parliament Hill Bluffs Parliament Hill Bluffs
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Library & Archives Canada No. 3422972

1894

A view of the bluffs of Parliament Hill from Victoria Island

Miss Laura Smith at Parliament


Miss Laura Smith at Parliament Miss Laura Smith at Parliament
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Library & Archives Canada No. 3334656

1894

Miss Laura Smith and an unidentified female friend in a horse and cart in front of the Parliament Buildings

Decorations on Sparks Street


Decorations on Sparks Street Decorations on Sparks Street
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Library & Archives Canada No. 3400446

1901

Garlands hang from Sparks Street for the royal visit of the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall and York

Toboggan Track


Toboggan Track Toboggan Track
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Library & Archives Canada No. 3517938

1900s

A toboggan races down a track at the Ice Palace at Ottawa's Winter Carnival

Pedestrians on Sparks


Pedestrians on Sparks Pedestrians on Sparks
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Library & Archives Canada No. 3326040

1905

A busy afternoon on Metcalfe and Sparks Street

Unveiling of the Sir Galahad Monument


Unveiling of the Sir Galahad Monument Unveiling of the Sir Galahad Monument
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Library & Archives Canada C-003184

1905

Unveiling of the Sir Galahad monument erected to the memory of Henry A. Harper. Hon. W.L. Mackenzie King is second from left

Decorations for the Duke of Connaught's Visit


Decorations for the Duke of Connaught's Visit Decorations for the Duke of Connaught's Visit
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Library & Archives Canada No. 3194390

1911

Decorations at the Bank Street entrance to Parliament Hill for the Duke of Connaught's visit

A' Coy 38th Batallion Drills


A' Coy 38th Batallion Drills A' Coy 38th Batallion Drills
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Library & Archives Canada No. 3522784

1910s

A' Coy 38th Battalion Drilling on the lawn of Parliament Hill

Parliament in Flames


Parliament in Flames Parliament in Flames
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Ottawa Citizen

1916

A flames blaze through Parliament in a fire that claimed seven lives after breaking out in the House of Commons reading room

Canal Boat on the Rideau Canal


Canal Boat on  the Rideau Canal Canal Boat on  the Rideau Canal
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Library & Archives Canada No. 3326229

1920

A Canal Boat prepares to descend the locks of the Rideau Canal

Beauty Pageant


Beauty Pageant Beauty Pageant
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Library & Archives Canada No. 3549586

1927

A Beauty Pagent held during the Diamond Jubilee celebratios passes through the East Block to the delight of spectators

Construction of the National War Memorial


Construction of the National War Memorial Construction of the National War Memorial
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Library & Archives Canada No. 5065131

1938

E.G.M. Cape & Co. workers laying granite bricks at the construction site of the National War Memorial

Royal Arrival


Royal Arrival Royal Arrival
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Library & Archives Canada No. 3262037

1939

King George VI and Queen Elizabeth arrive to lay cornerstone for the Supreme Court of Canada during the Royal Tour

Union of Newfoundland


Union of Newfoundland Union of Newfoundland
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Library & Archives Canada No. 3520147

1949

Hon. G.F. Bradley during his speech concerning the Union of Newfoundland with Canada on Parliament Hill. Both ceremonies in Newfoundland and Ottawa were broadcasted throughout Canada


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