École Polytechnique massacre

Quick Facts: Who was École Polytechnique massacre?

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École Polytechnique massacre

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The 1989 École Polytechnique massacre, a deadly anti-feminist shooting in Montreal.

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2Day Chrono-Wiki & Primary Historical Archives

Origins & Early Life

The École Polytechnique massacre (French: tuerie de l'École polytechnique), also known as the Montreal massacre, was a mass shooting that occurred on December 6, 1989, at the École Polytechnique de Montréal in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Fourteen women were fatally shot in the misogynistic, antifeminist attack; another ten women and four men were injured. Among the wounded was the eventual gun control advocate and politician Nathalie Provost. It is the deadliest school shooting in Canada’s history. On December 6, 1989, Marc Lépine, armed with a legally-obtained semi-automatic rifle and a hunting knife, entered a mechanical engineering class at the École Polytechnique.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

He ordered the women to one side of the classroom, and instructed the men to leave. After claiming that he was "fighting feminism," he shot all nine women in the room, killing six. The shooter then moved through corridors, the cafeteria, and another classroom, specifically targeting women to shoot for just under 20 minutes. He killed a further eight women before shooting and killing himself with his rifle. It was the deadliest mass shooting in Canada until the 2020 Nova Scotia attacks.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

After the attack, Canadians debated various interpretations of the events, their significance, and the shooter’s motives. The massacre is now widely regarded as an anti-feminist attack and representative of wider societal violence against women; the anniversary of the massacre is commemorated as the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women. The incident led to more stringent gun control laws in Canada, and increased action to end violence against women. It also resulted in changes in emergency services protocols to shootings, including immediate, active intervention by police. These changes were later credited with minimizing casualties during incidents in Montreal and elsewhere.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1989: 1989 Milestone — The École Polytechnique massacre (French: tuerie de l'École polytechnique), also known as the Montreal massacre, was a mass shooting that occurred on December 6, 1989, at the École Polytechnique de Montréal in Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
2. 2020: 2020 Milestone — It was the deadliest mass shooting in Canada until the 2020 Nova Scotia attacks.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: École Polytechnique massacre

True or False: “The attack at the École Polytechnique was immediately followed by comprehensive, nationwide federal gun control legislation in Canada.”

Answer (FALSE ❌): While the incident led to more stringent gun control laws and changes in emergency protocols, the immediate legislative overhaul was complex and evolved over time.

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• A. J. Ayer — Historical peer (Died in 1989) (1989): Influential English philosopher known for logical positivism and emotivism.
• Abbie Hoffman — Historical peer (Died in 1989) (1989): Iconic American activist, co-founder of the Yippies, and counterculture figure.
• Alan Parker — Historical peer (Died in 2020) (2020): Acclaimed English filmmaker known for genre versatility and numerous BAFTA and Golden Globe wins.
• Albert Uderzo — Historical peer (Died in 2020) (2020): Pioneering French comic artist, co-creator of the iconic Astérix series.

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