I spent the past weekend in Ottawa, Canada's capital city, for Canada Day celebrations. Canada peacefully gained independence from Britain in 1867. It is believed that Queen Victoria chose Ottawa to be the capital city because of its location along the Ontario - Quebec border and distance from the American border for defense purposes.

More photos : http://www.geocities.com/asiaglobe/gallery/ottawa-july01.htm

Spectators gathered around Parliament Hill for celebrations :

http://www.globalphotos.org/ottawa/20050701/RIMG0397.jpg

http://www.globalphotos.org/ottawa/20050701/RIMG0349.jpg

http://www.globalphotos.org/ottawa/20050701/RIMG0346.jpg

http://www.globalphotos.org/ottawa/20050701/RIMG0352.jpg

http://www.globalphotos.org/ottawa/20050701/RIMG0354.jpg

http://www.globalphotos.org/ottawa/20050701/RIMG0364.jpg

http://www.globalphotos.org/ottawa/20050701/RIMG0369.jpg

http://www.globalphotos.org/ottawa/20050701/RIMG0368.jpg

http://www.globalphotos.org/ottawa/20050701/RIMG0367.jpg

http://www.globalphotos.org/ottawa/20050701/RIMG0370.jpg

http://www.globalphotos.org/ottawa/20050701/RIMG0376.jpg

http://www.globalphotos.org/ottawa/20050701/RIMG0379.jpg

http://www.globalphotos.org/ottawa/20050701/RIMG0377.jpg

http://www.globalphotos.org/ottawa/20050701/RIMG0388.jpg

http://www.globalphotos.org/ottawa/20050701/RIMG0407.jpg

Prime Minister Paul Martin was at the celebrations - shaking hands with spectators.

http://www.globalphotos.org/ottawa/20050701/RIMG0415.jpg

http://www.globalphotos.org/ottawa/20050701/RIMG0411.jpg

http://www.globalphotos.org/ottawa/20050701/RIMG0414.jpg

http://www.globalphotos.org/ottawa/20050701/RIMG0416.jpg

I wanna check that out some time. Looks like an awesome time!

great pics! neat to have the PM so close. I was working at Sparks and metcalfe (tim hortons) and recognized someone who came into the store :) It was so busy at night!!!