... I think [Eureka] may be called the finest thing in Australasian history. It was a revolution " small in size, but great politically; it was a strike for liberty, a struggle for a principle, a stand against injustice and oppression. It was the Barons and John over again; it was Hampden and Ship-Money; it was Concord and Lexington ... It was another instance of a victory won by a lost battle.
Mark Twain, American author; More Tramps Abroad
A symbol of Canadian identity
The official ceremony inaugurating the new Canadian flag was held on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on February 15, 1965, with Governor General Georges Vanier, Prime Minister Lester B. Pearson, the members of the Cabinet and thousands of Canadians in attendance.
The Canadian Red Ensign, bearing the Union Jack and the shield of the royal arms of Canada, was lowered and then, on the stroke of noon, our new maple leaf flag was raised. The crowd sang the national anthem O Canada followed by the royal anthem God Save the Queen.
The following words, spoken on that momentous day by the Honourable Maurice Bourget, Speaker of the Senate, added further symbolic meaning to our flag: "The flag is the symbol of the nation's unity, for it, beyond any doubt, represents all the citizens of Canada without distinction of race, language, belief or opinion."
This particular aquatic vertebrate is a 15” platinum arowana owned by Aro Dynasty, a Dragon fish breeder based out of Singapore. Its white coloration is an exceedingly rare mutation of the rather common arowana. It is, however, not entirely perfect; its right eye has turned downward. This is a common problem with arowanas"so common, in fact, that many keepers are paying for cosmetic surgery for their prized arowanas.
now i've heard it all -hbg !
Aro Dynasty has been offered $80,000 for the platinum arowana. A UK importer even offered the fish for £200,000 (nearly US $400,000). Unfortunately, the fish is not for sale. While we can’t entertain any hopes of ever owning it, those who attended Aquarama 2007 can still say that they have seen the world’s most expensive aquarium fish.
