From one of Canada's most popular political analysts, Chantal HÔebert, and one of Quebec's top political broadcasters, Jean Lapierre. They dare to open the old wounds of the 1995 Quebec referendum, a still-murky episode in Canadian history that continues to defy our understanding. The referendum took place in Quebec on October 30, 1995. A record 94% of 5,087,009 registered Quebecers voted in the referendum, with 49.42% voting "Yes" (that Quebec should proclaim national sovereignty) and 50.58% voting "No" -- the Canadian federation came within 54,288 votes of having to grapple with its continued existence. The referendum brought one of the world's most successful democracies to the brink of the unknown, and yet Quebecers' attitudes toward sovereignty continue to baffle the country's political class.