What happened at Vimy Ridge?

In April 1917, during the First World War, the Canadian Corps captured Vimy Ridge. The guide says 10,000 were killed or wounded.

When was the Battle of Vimy Ridge?

Discover Canada dates the battle to April 9, 1917. Today, April 9 is celebrated as Vimy Day.

Why is Vimy Ridge important to Canada?

The victory made Canadians known for their valour. The guide says they earned the name “shock troops of the British Empire.” One Canadian officer said that at Vimy he saw “the birth of a nation.”

Where is the Vimy Memorial?

The Vimy Memorial is in France. It honours those who served and died at Vimy Ridge.

How many Canadians served in the First World War?

More than 600,000 Canadians served, most of them volunteers. 60,000 were killed and 170,000 were wounded.

Vimy Ridge (1917): What to Know for the Citizenship Test

Canada goes to war in 1914

In 1914, Germany attacked Belgium and France, and Britain declared war. Canada’s government in Ottawa then formed the Canadian Expeditionary Force, which later became the Canadian Corps.Discover Canada, Canada's History › The First World War, p. 20 (opens the official guide on canada.ca)

Over 600,000 Canadians served in the war, and most of them were volunteers. Canada’s total population at the time was eight million.

The guide says Canadians proved to be tough and inventive soldiers.

The Battle of Vimy Ridge, April 1917

In April 1917, the Canadian Corps captured Vimy Ridge. The guide gives the losses as 10,000 killed or wounded.Discover Canada, Canada's History › The First World War, p. 20 (opens the official guide on canada.ca)

The victory gave Canadians a reputation for valour. They became known as the “shock troops of the British Empire.”

One Canadian officer described the battle as Canada from the Atlantic to the Pacific “on parade,” and said he had seen “the birth of a nation.”

The Vimy Memorial in France honours the people who served and died in the battle, which took place on April 9, 1917. The guide calls the battle the first British victory of the First World War.

Canadians celebrate April 9 as Vimy Day.

The rest of the First World War

In 1918, General Sir Arthur Currie, whom the guide calls Canada’s greatest soldier, commanded the Canadian Corps. It advanced with French and British Empire troops in the last hundred days of the war.Discover Canada, Canada's History › The First World War, p. 20 (opens the official guide on canada.ca)
These battles included the win at Amiens on August 8, 1918. The Germans called that day “the black day of the German Army.” After Amiens came Arras, Canal du Nord, Cambrai and Mons.
Germany and Austria surrendered, and the war ended with the Armistice on November 11, 1918.
In all, 60,000 Canadians were killed and 170,000 were wounded.
Corporal Filip Konowal, born in Ukraine, showed exceptional courage at the Battle of Hill 70 in 1917. He was the first Canadian Corps member born outside the British Empire to receive the Victoria Cross. Flying ace Billy Bishop also earned the Victoria Cross during the war.Discover Canada, Canadian Symbols › The Victoria Cross, p. 40 (opens the official guide on canada.ca)

Internment in Canada during the war

From 1914 to 1920, the government interned more than 8,000 people who had been Austro-Hungarian subjects, mostly Ukrainian men. They were held as “enemy aliens” in 24 labour camps across Canada. Britain had advised against this policy.Discover Canada, Canada's History › The First World War, p. 20 (opens the official guide on canada.ca)

How the war shaped Canada

The guide says the war made both national and imperial pride stronger, especially in English Canada.Discover Canada, Canada's History › The First World War, p. 20 (opens the official guide on canada.ca)

The Peace Tower of the Parliament Buildings was finished in 1927 as a memorial to the First World War.Discover Canada, Canadian Symbols › Parliament Buildings, p. 38 (opens the official guide on canada.ca)

Vimy Ridge and the First World War are covered in the history chapter of Discover Canada, the official study guide for the test. To review them, read our study notes for Canada’s history at /discover-canada/canadas-history, then try the free chapter quiz at /chapters/canadas-history.

Common questions

What happened at Vimy Ridge?: In April 1917, during the First World War, the Canadian Corps captured Vimy Ridge. The guide says 10,000 were killed or wounded.Discover Canada, Canada's History › The First World War, p. 20 (opens the official guide on canada.ca)
When was the Battle of Vimy Ridge?: Discover Canada dates the battle to April 9, 1917. Today, April 9 is celebrated as Vimy Day.Discover Canada, Canada's History › The First World War, p. 20 (opens the official guide on canada.ca)
Why is Vimy Ridge important to Canada?: The victory made Canadians known for their valour. The guide says they earned the name “shock troops of the British Empire.” One Canadian officer said that at Vimy he saw “the birth of a nation.”Discover Canada, Canada's History › The First World War, p. 20 (opens the official guide on canada.ca)
Where is the Vimy Memorial?: The Vimy Memorial is in France. It honours those who served and died at Vimy Ridge.Discover Canada, Canada's History › The First World War, p. 20 (opens the official guide on canada.ca)
How many Canadians served in the First World War?: More than 600,000 Canadians served, most of them volunteers. 60,000 were killed and 170,000 were wounded.Discover Canada, Canada's History › The First World War, p. 20 (opens the official guide on canada.ca)