Hacker News Reader

Canada day doesn't conmomerate Ypres, but Canadians are still quite proud that we were cannon fodder for the British.

I guess those celebrating are those who weren't left behind.

Not really. We're far more proud of the Battle of Vimy, which we actually won.

Just a few weeks ago Vimy Ridge Day popped up in my calendar as a Canadian holiday - I asked around and although everybody knew of Vimy Ridge nobody in my group of contacts realized it was an 'official day'. This was in Toronto.

Likely due to the day not being a recognized holiday.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vimy_Ridge_Day

Sure, we're more proud of a victory. But Gallipoli (the topic) was a loss where the Brits used colonists as cannon fodder.

Ypres, then, fits rather nicely. Including the couple of pages in grade 10 history class about how nobly we bled.

A war were neither side had any redeeming quality.

Interestingly, just found out the Australians were at Ypres as well alongside Canadians (and, in many of the battles, along with many other colonial troops: India, New Zealand, and South Africa).

Just a random fact.

Reply on news.ycombinator.com