In Depth
Vimy Ridge remembered
90th anniversary special coverage
Commemorating the battle on Television
Last Updated April 9, 2007
CBC News
CBC Television and CBC Newsworld will provide viewers with extensive programming to commemorate the dedication of the restored Canadian National Vimy Memorial.
Friday, April 6
- 9:00 p.m. ET on Newsworld, 10:00 p.m. ET on CBC. Chief news correspondent Peter Mansbridge anchors The National from the site of the Vimy memorial in France.
Sunday, April 8
- 8:00 p.m. local time (8:30 p.m. NT) on CBC Television. Part 1 of The Great War.
Between 1914 and 1918, when Canada was not even 50 years past being a British colony, 590,000 Canadians enlisted to help fight the war. During the First World War, 325,000 people shipped overseas to fight. A staggering two out of three were killed or wounded &8212; leaving virtually every Canadian family touched by the event. Across the country, stories of bravery, broken hearts, close calls and patriotism have been passed down from generation to generation.
Filmmaker Brian McKenna captures their stories in The Great War. The following evening on CBC Television, a companion production, The Great War Experience, will air immediately before Part 2 of the The Great War miniseries. This hour-long documentary by Robin McKenna follows 150 descendants of troops as they participate in recreations of the major battles in which their ancestors fought. (Repeats Saturday, April 14, on CBC Newsworld.)
Monday, April 9
- 10:00 a.m. ET . Live coverage of the dedication services at Vimy Ridge led by the Queen on CBC Newsworld and CBC Television. Prime Minister Stephen Harper will also be in attendance. Peter Mansbridge will host the program, joined by Canadian historian Jack Granatstein, distinguished research professor of history emeritus at York University.
(Please check your listing for local time.)
Following the dedication of the restored Canadian National Vimy Memorial, there will be a ceremony in Ottawa at the National War Memorial, attended by Gov. Gen. Michaëlle Jean. CBC Newsworld's Don Newman will be joined by Maj. George Pearce (ret.) for coverage of the Ottawa ceremony. - Ron Charles discovers a large artifact from the Vimy battle, stored in a church basement for years.
Video (Runs 2:16)
- David Common explores the tunnels and trenches, many closed to the public, that have snaked through the Vimy site since 1917.
Video (Runs 4:58)
- Ioanna Roumeliotis explains the purpose behind the pilgrimage for many of the Canadians visiting Vimy.
Video (Runs 6:50)
- Peter Mansbridge reports the remains of one lost Canadian soldier recently found at Vimy.
Video (Runs 8:27)
Saturday April 14
- Part 1 of The Great War repeats on CBC Newsworld. 10:00 p.m. ET. (Please check your listing for local time.)
Sunday April 15
- The Great War Experience repeats on CBC Newsworld. Part 2 of The Great War The programming begins 8:30 p.m. ET.
(Please check your listing for local time.)
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RELATED
CBC Links
Photo Galleries
CBC stories
- Last veteran of Vimy Ridge battle dies
- (March 5, 2003)
- Britain loans Canada Red Ensign carried by Canadians at Vimy Ridge
- (July 17, 2002)
- Canadian youth remember Vimy Ridge
- (April 8, 2002)
- WWI shells force evacuation of Vimy
- (April 14, 2001)
- Remains of Unknown Soldier coming home
- (Nov. 10, 2000)
- Long lost soldier put to rest at Vimy Ridge
- (June 24, 2000)
- Search CBC.ca for Vimy Ridge
CBC archives
- The First World War: Canada Remembers
- CBC/NFB A People's History: 'Pride at Vimy Ridge'
- AUDIO: 1936 radio broadcast: Vimy Ridge Memorial unveiled by King Edward VIII (Runs 5:02)
External Links
- Silent Newsreel: 'Canadians Capture Vimy'
- National Archives of Canada "We Were There"
- Jack Turner Photography Collection
- Veterans' Affairs Canada: Vimy
- Vimy Memorial Vigil project
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