Here, in a nutshell, are some of the highlights of Vancouver's sometimes oddball history.

Segments of the Coast Salish people-the ancestors of the Squamish, Burrard, Tsleil-Waututh, Musqueam (Xw'muthk'i'um), Tsawwassen, Coquitlam (Kwayhquitlam), Katzie and Semiahmoo Indian bands-arrive from Asia. They seem to be quite satisfied with the beaches teeming with seafood-they named English Bay Ayyulshun, which means 'soft under feet'. And they liked the forests teaming with wildlife. Not to mention that nearby is the mouth of a big river emptying into a vast ocean where big, fat, silvery salmon swam by six months out of every year.

The Economist magazine's Intelligence Unit ties Vancouver and Melbourne as the World's Top City to live in 2002.Mercer Human Resource Consulting rates Vancouver as top city in North America for quality of life in 2003.

On July 1 - Canada Day - 2003, Vancouver is selected as the Host City for 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games. Rogers Arena broadcasts the announcement live to a sold out crowd, while celebrations take place across the city.

Vancouver celebrates its 125th birthday in 2011, with a year-long party of events and performances taking place throughout the city.

Read more about Vancouver's history at www.vancouverhistory.ca