One of the most traumatic events for Canada and the world was the First World War. The golden era before the war was a time of scientific discovery, social reform, artistic innovation, a time of belief in the progress of mankind. This illusion was abruptly shattered in August of 1914 with the outbreak of war in Europe. Over the next 4 years science was perverted, societies were corrupted, the truth suppressed and traditions destroyed.
The western front became a hell on earth which killed a generation of Europe's, Canada's and many other nations finest youth. Out of this upheaval and disruption came one of Canada's finest moments and perhaps the first that defined it as a nation - Vimy Ridge.
The end of the war brought a period or readjustment, an outbreak of influenza, a new view of values and the nationalistic euphoria of victory.
