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'Vive le Québec libre!'

Broadcast Date: July 24, 1967

On July 24, 1967, French President Charles de Gaulle causes a political uproar when he exclaims, "Vive le Québec libre" to an ecstatic crowd in front of Montreal City Hall. De Gaulle was one of many world leaders invited to Expo 67 to help celebrate Canada's 100th birthday. Prime Minister Lester B. Pearson is outraged by the comment and issues an official rebuke saying, "Canadians do not need to be liberated." De Gaulle cuts short his trip and returns to France.

'Vive le Québec libre!'

• Charles de Gaulle was leader of the Free French army during the Second World War. He was a brigadier general when France was defeated by Germany in 1940. De Gaulle escaped to England where he commanded the army and broadcast a famous call for resistance of German occupation.

Also on July 24:
• 1958: The national CCF convention in Winnipeg accepts a Canadian Labour Congress proposal to found a "people's political movement." The New Democratic Party comes into being in 1961.
• 1984: Federal party leaders John Turner, Brian Mulroney and Ed Broadbent meet in the first televised election debate conducted in French.

'Vive le Québec libre!'

Medium: Television

Program: CBC Newsmagazine

Broadcast Date: July 24, 1967

Guest(s): Charles de Gaulle

Host: Norman DePoe

Duration: 5:28

Last updated:
March 7, 2008