April 17,1982 - The Constitution Act, 1982 enshrined the Charter of Rights and Freedoms in the Constitution and completed the unfinished business of Canadian independence - allowing Canadians to ament their own Constitution without requiring approval from Britain.
"I wish simply that the bringing home of our constitution marks the end of a long winter, the breaking up of the ice jams and the beginning of a new spring. What we are celebrating today is not so much the completion of our task, but the renewal of our hope - not so much an ending, but a fresh beginning."
Signing Proclamation of the Constitution Act
April 17, 1982
