Canada celebrates 150th birthday

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Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau kicked off the country's 150th birthday celebrations on Saturday amid heavy security as many citizens braved non-stop rain and long delays to reach the main site in the nation's capital, Ottawa.

Britain's Prince Charles speaks during Canada Day celebrations on Parliament Hill in Ottawa, Canada, July 1, 2017. /VCG Photo

About 500,000 people were expected to attend the long-anticipated Canada Day festivities, featuring a large outdoor celebration in front of the national Parliament complete with acrobats, fireworks and musicians including Irish rock band U2.

Children prepare to participate in the East York Toronto Canada Day parade, as the country marks its 150th anniversary with "Canada 150" celebrations, in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, July 1, 2017. /VCG Phot

Britain's Prince Charles and his wife Camilla joined in the Canada Day celebration. Prince Charles joined Trudeau to shake hands with some of the thousands of revelers who converged on Ottawa.

Britain's Prince Charles and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, take part in Canada Day celebrations as the country marks its 150th anniversary since confederation, on Parliament Hill in Ottawa, Canada, July 1, 2017. /VCG Photo

"Canada is a country made strong not in spite of our differences but because of them," Trudeau told the gathering.

"We don't aspire to be a melting pot – indeed, we know true strength and resilience flows through Canadian diversity."

A girl on her way to participate in the East York Toronto Canada Day parade in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, July 1, 2017. /VCG Photo

(With inputs from Reuters)

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