The 1995 referendum on independence took place 30 years ago on Thursday, when a razor-thin majority of Quebecers voted to stay in Canada. After a dramatic campaign during which the sovereigntist side came from behind to take a lead in the polls in the final weeks before the vote, 50.58 per cent of voters chose “no.”

Here are five things you may not know — or may have forgotten — about the 1995 referendum.

Related: • Quebec’s sovereignty question lingers, 30 years after 1995 referendum • 30 years later: Quebec’s 1995 referendum and the night that almost changed everything • A night that defined a generation: 30 years after Quebec’s 1995 referendum vote • Quebec sovereigntists rally in Montreal on 30th anniversary of 1995 Referendum

Foreign influence

International leaders played

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