Canada In the 1960s Trivia Quiz

Answer: Status Indians

Now collectively known as First Nations, Inuit, and Metis (FNMI), status Indians were given the right to vote in Canada for the first time on July 1, 1960. From Canada's independence in 1867 until 1960, they had always been denied the right to vote. They would no longer have to give up their status or treaty rights in order to vote. Up to this point, the Aboriginal peoples of Canada had suffered through years of cultural loss in a network of boarding schools set up across Canada.

This system forced thousands of Aboriginal children from their families, communities, and homes and educated them in various school systems set up across Canada, mainly by religious groups.

The intent was to assimilate them into the mainstream Canadian culture resulting in a loss of traditional values and language.

Many children were subject to sexual and physical abuse as a result of entering into the system. Sadly, it wasn't until 1996 that the final residential school in Canada had been shut down.

Answer: Wayne Gretzky

Wayne Gretzky is often referred to as one of the most decorated Canadian athletes of all-time. His NHL career spanned from the 1979-80 season until his retirement following the 1998-99 NHL season. He was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame after his retirement, becoming one of few hockey players to have the four year waiting period waved. During his career he scored 894 goals and 1963 assists making him the all-time leading scorer in NHL history at the point of his retirement.

He had won the most valuable player (Hart Trophy) nine times and the scoring champion (Art Ross Trophy) ten times during his career.

He was a sportsmanlike player winning the Lady Byng Trophy five times.

Answer: Alouette 1

Alouette, French for "skylark" was launched at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, USA to an altitude of 987 kilometers. Its purpose was to study the ionosphere and used over 700 radio frequencies to do so. After ten years, Alouette 1 was deactivated in 1972.

Answer: Pilot error

Of the 118 victims of this horrific crash, 76 of them were from the Toronto area. The flight took off from Montreal, Quebec at 6:28 pm en route to Toronto, Ontario. At roughly 6:33 pm, the plane struck the ground in an open field. Muddy and wet conditions made it difficult for rescue operations to arrive quickly. During the investigation, the official cause of the crash was "unknown".

It is believed that a systems failure occurred either in the pitch trim system, pitot system, or vertical gyro, but could definitively not be proven.

Answer: The Stone Angel

"The Stone Angel" tells the tale of a 90-year old woman and her struggle to come to grips with the fact that she had a life of tragedy and loss. The progression of the novel outlines the death of her brother, her marriage that caused a rift with her father and family, and her favoritism towards her younger son.

After a conversation of bonding, she finally repents and confesses to her older son that he was truly the better son in her life.

Answer: Red Ensign

The Great Canadian Flag Debate was a national debate that took place to discuss the possibility of changing the Flag of Canada. To this point, Canada had used the Red Ensign [Union Flag or Union Jack in top LH corner and Canadian Coat of Arms on the right]. Canada had historically been politically represented by the United Kingdom until the Statute of Westminster gave Canada the freedom to make its own decisions in 1931.

A proposal for a new flag had gone on for many years until Prime Minister Lester Pearson proposed a new flag in the House of Commons in 1964.

After many months of debate, the Maple Leaf was voted in as Canada's new flag with a Commons vote of 163 to 78.

Answer: Buffalo Springfield

Historically, the band Buffalo Springfield would become significant because some of the musicians in the band would go on to have successful careers in the music industry. Neil Young and Stephen Stills would go on to play with Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Young as well as having a successful solo career. Dewey Martin would play as a drummer for The Staccatos. Buffalo Springfield formed during the time of the Vietnam War and "For What It's Worth" was released as an anti-war song.

It has often been used in the film industry, most notably in the movie "Forrest Gump".

Answer: World's Fair

On July 1, 1967, Canada celebrated its 100th anniversary as an independent nation. To coincide with this triumph, the World's Fair was held in Montreal, Quebec from April 27th until October 29th. Expo '67 as it became known, had various features including art galleries, operas, ballet, theatre, and orchestra exhibits and performances.

The "Ed Sullivan Show" was broadcast live during the Expo while various popular musicians such as The Grateful Dead, Tiny Tim, and Jefferson Airplane provided entertainment. Various notable political figures were also present at the Expo including US president Lyndon Johnson, Princess Grace of Monaco, Emperor Haile Selassie of Ethiopia, and Queen Elizabeth II.

Answer: Daniel Johnson, Sr.

Daniel Johnson, Sr. was elected as Premier of Quebec in 1966 and held this position until his sudden death of a heart attack in 1968. He was heavily involved in ensuring the completion of the Manicougan-5 Dam which would be re-named to the Daniel Johnson Dam in his honor. On September 26, 1969, Johnson's widow and children would be escorted by the new Premier, Jean-Jacques Bertrand to unveil two plaques and officially dedicating the new dam in his honor.

Answer: Ontario Science Centre

Since its opening, the Ontario Science Centre has had many exhibits including geology exhibits, nature, astronomy, anatomy, music, and technology. Popular exhibits have included "China: 7000 Years of Discovery", "Strange Matter", "KidSpark", and "Body Worlds".

Many of the exhibits are interactive and educational. The Ontario Science Centre also includes a science school that has offered academic credits for high school students in the areas of Physics, Biology, Chemistry, and Advanced Mathematics.