85px|The coat of arms of Canada as depicted in 1957
Canadian heraldry is the cultural tradition and style of coats of
arms and other heraldic achievements in modern and historic Canada.
Derived mainly from heraldic traditions in France and the United
Kingdom, Canadian heraldry also incorporates distinctly Canadian
symbols, especially native flora and fauna, references to the First
Nations and other aboriginal peoples of Canada, and uniquely Canadian
elements such as the Canadian pale, derived from the Canadian flag. In
1988, governance of both personal and corporate heraldry in Canada was
patriated from the heraldic authorities in England and Scotland with
the formation of the Canadian Heraldic Authority, which now has
exclusive jurisdiction over granting awards of arms in Canada. Coats of
arms are used throughout Canada by all levels of government, in many
cases including royal insignia as a mark of authority. All citizens of
Canada have the right to petition for an award of arms, as do other
entities including businesses and religious institutions. The granting
of arms is regarded as an honour from the monarch, via the Governor
General, and thus are bestowed only on those whom the Chief Herald has
deemed worthy of receiving a grant of arms. (more...)
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Read the rest of this article:
<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canadian_heraldry>
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Today's selected anniversaries:
1864:
American Civil War: Confederate forces unsuccessfully attacked Union
troops at the Battle of Atlanta.
<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Atlanta>
1894:
Despite finishing in first place in the world's first auto race,
Jules-Albert de Dion did not win, as his steam-powered car was against
the rules.
<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jules-Albert_de_Dion>
1977:
After having been removed from power by the Gang of Four the year
before, Deng Xiaoping returned to leadership positions within the
Communist Party of China.
<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deng_Xiaoping>
1992:
Colombian drug lord Pablo Escobar escaped from his luxurious private
prison and would spent the next 17 months on the run.
<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pablo_Escobar>
2005:
London metropolitan police killed Jean Charles de Menezes, a Brazilian
immigrant, after misidentifying him as being involved in the previous
day's failed bombing attempts.
<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Death_of_Jean_Charles_de_Menezes>
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Wiktionary's word of the day:
contumely (n):
Offensive language or behaviour; insult, scorn
<http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/contumely>
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Wikiquote quote of the day:
There was no pain when I awoke,
No pain at all. Rest, like a goad,
Spurred my eyes open — and light
broke
Upon them like a million swords:
And she was there. There are no
words.
Heaven is for a moment's span.
And ever.
--Stephen Vincent Benét
<http://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Stephen_Vincent_Ben%C3%A9t>