Here are three significant moments in Canadian history for April 24th:
April 24, 1968: Mauritius Becomes a Fellow Member of the Commonwealth
While it happened thousands of miles away, this was a major day for Canadian diplomacy. Prime Minister Pierre Elliott Trudeau (who had been sworn in just four days earlier) officially welcomed Mauritius into the Commonwealth.
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The Connection: This era marked a significant shift in Canada’s role as a “Middle Power,” where we began strengthening ties with newly independent francophone and Commonwealth nations, helping to define the bilingual and multicultural Canada we know today.
April 24, 1990: The Launch of the Hubble Space Telescope (The Canadian Hand)
On this day, the Space Shuttle Discovery lifted off with the Hubble Space Telescope.
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The Connection: Canada played a vital role in the mission’s success. The Canadarm, our famous robotic contribution to the space program, was essential for the deployment and subsequent servicing missions that fixed Hubble’s “blurry” vision. For seniors who remember the excitement of the early space race, this was the day that truly changed our view of the universe.
April 24, 1915: The Second Battle of Ypres
On this day, Canadian soldiers faced their most harrowing trial during the First World War. Following the first-ever large-scale gas attack by the Germans two days prior, the Canadian line was hit again on April 24 with a massive cloud of chlorine gas.
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The Legacy: Despite being vastly outnumbered and choking on poison gas, the Canadians held the line at St. Julien, preventing a German breakthrough that could have changed the course of the war. It was this battle that established the Canadians’ reputation as a “formidable” and “tenacious” fighting force, though it came at the staggering cost of over 6,000 casualties in just 48 hours.
Nostalgia Corner: April 24, 1990
If you were listening to the radio or heading to the cinema 36 years ago this week, here is what was dominating the Canadian charts:
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Top Song in Canada: “I Wish It Would Rain Down” by Phil Collins.
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This power ballad was everywhere in the spring of ’90, spending six weeks at the #1 spot on the Canadian RPM charts. It featured the legendary Eric Clapton on guitar.
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Top Movie: Pretty Woman.
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April 1990 was the month Julia Roberts became a global superstar. The film was in its fifth week at #1 and was the talk of the town across Canada.
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Many of us have seen Pretty Woman on the screen in our living room. Did any of you see it on the big screen when it first came out? What were your impressions at the time. Reply below on the website or reply to the email.
**Bill Gould** spent 43 years as a long-haul truck driver before trading the steering wheel for a keyboard to help fellow Canadians navigate the road of retirement. A freelance writer, published author, and editor of over 50 books, Bill co-founded *Canadian Senior Moment* with his wife, Marilyn, to provide a trusted space for seniors to find clarity, safety, and connection in the digital age. When he isn’t troubleshooting “tech gremlins” or sharing childhood memories of the Prairies, he can be found in his woodshop or working on his latest novel.