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Nearly two decades after becoming a territory, Nunavut finally has a spot on Canada’s Centennial Flame monument on Parliament Hill.
The monument was built to celebrate Canada’s 100th birthday in 1967, 32 years before Nunavut was officially separated from the Northwest Territories.
On December 31, 1966, a flame was lit for Canada’s Centennial Celebrations. On December 13, 2017, it will burn again for #Canada150 and #Nunavut. WATCH this historic moment LIVE: https://t.co/hUxDvrqGtG pic.twitter.com/mkXHSk6iqP
— Canadian Heritage (@CdnHeritage) December 12, 2017
The flame was initially lit by Prime Minister Lester B. Pearson on December 31st, 1966.
However, it was extinguished while crews added the symbols of Nunavut to the monument, which include an inukshuk and an Inuit stone lamp known as a qulliq.
Another historic moment for Canada today: the symbols of Nunavut will be added to the #CentennialFlame! #Canada150 https://t.co/h27elk8hW7 pic.twitter.com/toTFnO3Otu
— Canadian Heritage (@CdnHeritage) December 13, 2017
On Wednesday, the flame was relit in a special ceremony in front of the nation’s parliament buildings.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was on hand and spoke to a sizeable crowd shortly before the flame was relit.
It’s getting hot in the capital! Relive this historical moment with us. Today, symbols of Nunavut were added to the #CentennialFlame on Parliament Hill! pic.twitter.com/yXDMEpv39s
— Canadian Heritage (@CdnHeritage) December 13, 2017
A fountain surrounds the flame, where visitors to Parliament Hill can throw coins for good luck.
At the end of the year, the money is donated to fund disabilities research in Canada.
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