Quite an accomplishment -- we think the USA is hot stuff for being in operation for 232 years. Quebec City is celebrating its 400th anniversary today.
From The Canadian Press:
Canadian cities join Quebec City's 400th birthday celebrationsThere is a nice entry in WikiPedia on Quebec. A gorgeous city -- visited there several times when I was living on the East Coast. Montreal is nice but Quebec is a gemstone.
Belfries across Canada shook in unison Thursday as hundreds of churches helped ring in the 400th birthday of historic Quebec City.
Prime Minister Stephen Harper praised the provincial capital as the country's most beautiful city as he and a slew of other dignitaries celebrated the anniversary.
Harper, Premier Jean Charest, Gov. Gen. Michaelle Jean and French Prime Minister Francois Fillon were just some of the politicians to give brief speeches at a ceremony marking the day 400 years ago that Samuel de Champlain dropped anchor below the bluffs of what was to become Old Quebec.
"1608 is a historical date for you, for the province of Quebec and for all of Canada because July 3, 1608 - exactly 400 years ago today - really marks the beginning of what we have become today," Harper told those assembled at the foot of an imposing statue of the famed French explorer.
"Fellow Canadians, I may have grown up in Toronto, I may have decided to live in Calgary with my family, and I may work in Ottawa, but they say all Canadians must have two cities in his or her heart: their own and Quebec City.
"Because it is the most beautiful city in Canada, the most charming - a city that radiates 'joie de vivre'."
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