Montreal Canadiens Jean Béliveau shakes the hand of Canadian Prime Minister John Diefenbaker at the opening of Canada's Hockey Hall of Fame in the Canadian National Exhibition / CNE on August 26, 1961.

The Hockey Hall of Fame was officially opened on August 26, 1961. Canadian Prime Minister John Diefenbaker and United States Ambassador Livingston T. Merchant presided over the opening. "There is nothing greater than Hockey to bring about national unity and a closer relationship between the United States and Canada," stated Prime Minister Diefenbaker at that time.