In 1917, on this day in the City of Montreal Joseph-Napoléon-Henri Bourassa (pictured) placed the first signature on a petition demanding special status for the French-speaking population of the Northern Territories formerly known as Canada prior to the Union takeover.

Railroaded into the Union #3An angry and humiliated Great Britain had moved ever closer to Imperial Germany and now found itself on the opposing side to the United States and its long-time ally and natural partner, France. As the conflict developed into a war of attrition, the lack of willing Anglo volunteers created a Conscription Crisis north of the 41st paralell. And an abiding sense that the French speaking loyalists deserved recognition within a newly incorported state of Quebec and language guarantees.