“Can You Feel It?” — Calgary Welcomes the World
On February 13, 1988, the eyes of the world turned to Calgary, Alberta, as the XV Winter Olympic Games officially began.
It was a defining moment for Canada. The Opening Ceremony at McMahon Stadium was a spectacle of western hospitality, despite the freezing temperatures and the howling wind (which famously threatened to extinguish the Olympic cauldron!).
These games gave us unforgettable characters like Eddie the Eagle and the Jamaican Bobsled Team. But more importantly, they gave us a legacy of volunteerism. The thousands of volunteers in their iconic red jackets set a new standard for how Olympics should be run. Do you still have any 1988 memorabilia tucked away in a box somewhere?
Also on this day:
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1947: A gusher changed the West forever. Leduc No. 1 struck oil near Leduc, Alberta. It was the discovery that launched the modern Canadian oil industry, transforming Alberta from a quiet agricultural province into an energy powerhouse.
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1867: A quiet but crucial day in London, England. The British North America Act was introduced in the House of Lords. It was the piece of paper that would, a few months later on July 1st, officially create the Dominion of Canada.
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2010: While the Opening Ceremony was the night before, February 13 marked the first full day of competition for the Vancouver Winter Olympics. Canada was on home soil again, hoping to finally win a gold medal at home (which, as we know, Alexandre Bilodeau would soon deliver!).
Born on this day:
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Céline Galipeau (1957): The distinguished Canadian journalist and news anchor, familiar to many as the face of Radio-Canada’s Le Téléjournal.
Thought for the Day:
“The most important thing in the Olympic Games is not winning but taking part; the essential thing in life is not conquering but fighting well.” — Pierre de Coubertin (A sentiment Eddie the Eagle certainly took to heart!)
Warmly,
Bill & Marilyn
Founders, Canadian Senior Moment