Canada is an immense and an exciting country, but it is not an easy country to know. The great differences of geography, history and economics within our country have produced a rich diversity of temperament, viewpoint and culture.

Pierre Elliott Trudeau, born this day in 1919, was the prime minister of Canada (1968–79; 1980–84) who defeated Quebec separatism, adopted bilingualism for Canada, and advocated on behalf of underdeveloped nations.