Yes… its that time of year again, rolling around to when we once again celebrate the achievements of our Forefathers in creating the greatest force for freedom the world has ever known, mankind's last best hope.

I mean, of course, Canada Day.

…the day when those daring men, after a port, cigar, and an afternoon nap, bloodlessly passed the British North America Act in July 1, 1867, boldly allocating 1/3rd of the nation to the French, 2/3rds to the English, and 0% to the Native Canadians (the latter only if you round up). Yes, a mere 53 years after sacking Washington, DC and burning the Whitehouse, becoming the first of two nations (along with Vietnam) to defeat America (I use "defeated" in the sense of "failed to achieve one's war aims"…), Canada would become a nation.

Well, a Dominion at least.

Canada didn't quite have the right to declare war on its own until 1931, using this privilege on Sept 10, 1939 to enter World War II (though Canadians did win the first victory on the Western front at Vimy Ridge in 1917 and were a separate force, they were subordinate to the UK), and had no real constitution, even deferring to the British House of Lords rather than a homegrown Supreme Court, until 1982, but, hey, whats wrong with incrementalism? I'm told Quebec might even ratify the constitution before the 200th anniversary of Confederation.

Cheers to the Maple Leaf, beer at the cottage, peace keeping 1, and other great Canadian traditions!