Canada celebrates 150th birthday

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau started celebrations in Ottawa with a rousing speech to rain-soaked citizens on what it means to be Canadian. "Canada is a country made strong not in spite of our differences but because of them," he said. But he made a major gaffe, omitting Alberta as he listed the provinces and territories. Moments later, he jumped up, called, "I love you, Alberta," and blew a kiss.

Prince Charles and wife, Camilla, made a three-day visit to Canada to mark the sesquicentennial. The royal visit began with a trip to the northern territory of Nunavut, home to a large number of First Nations and Inuit people. The future king praised Canada for its inclusiveness and fairness. "We are celebrating a country that others look to for example," Charles said.

In Toronto, the hometown Blue Jays played against the Boston Red Sox in front of a patriotic crowd. Despite the inspirational flag, Boston edged ahead to victory in the baseball game. The massive flag is apt for such a large country: Canada is the world's second-biggest by area.

U2 members Bono and The Edge, both well known for being Irish and not Canadian, entertained the 500,000-odd people celebrating in Ottawa. "Where others build walls you open doors," Bono told the crowd, noting that Canada has welcomed tens of thousands of Syrian refugees.

Cities across Canada splurged on events and installations to celebrate the milestone, with the total cost to the federal government reported to be half a billion dollars over the year. Along with fireworks, free museums and outdoor concerts nationwide on Saturday, more than 50 special ceremonies to swear in new citizens were planned across the country.

Toronto, Canada's largest city, also had a giant rubber duck floating in its harbor to help celebrate. The yellow duck, which reportedly cost C$200,000 ($154,000/135,000 euros) including the rent, drew criticism from some party-poopers who described it as a waste of taxpayer money.

For many, the special day was a reminder of indigenous persecution. Ahead of the anniversary, activists erected a teepee on Parliament Hill in protest and on Saturday, about 100 indigenous protesters marched through Toronto. Canada has a long and varied history of persecuting its indigenous people, including systematically separating native children from their parents even as late as the 1980s.