This Week in Canadian History
Veterans Land Act (VLA)
1942 – Parliament passes Veterans Land Act (VLA), to award land grants or home mortgages to returning veterans. I didn't realize that this lasted until 1975. My paternal uncles took advantage of this program after the Second World War.
For more information, read http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/veterans-land-act/
1945 – Royal Canadian Navy ammunition barge catches fire in Bedord Basin, Nova Scotia; the magazine explodes for 24 hours, causing evacuation of half the city’s population.
For more information, go to http://www.warmuseum.ca/cwm/exhibitions/navy/galery-e.aspx?section=2-E-1-c&id=19
1976 – Montréal Olympics events begin 1976 – Romanian gymnast Nadia Comaneci, age 14, performing on the uneven parallel bars, scores the First perfect 10 in Olympic gymnastics history
For more information, read http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/the-montreal-olympics/
Social Media
(Photo) Memorial University of Newfoundland continues daunting digital archives initiative
The Memorial University's Digital Archives Initiative (DAI) is a project of the university aimed at the preservation of materials with historical and cultural value, while broadening access for the public.
It brings items kept throughout the university’s collections straight into the hands of private users. The online archives include paper records such as manuscripts, diaries, photographs, pamphlets and posters, and also audio and video recordings.
To read what has already been digitized, go to http://collections.mun.ca/
Newspaper Articles
Newfoundland-Labrador
Lost in history: Memory of WW I flying ace returns home after century away
He was a hometown kid — a hero of the First World War, a personal friend of Lester B. Pearson, and a descendant of Swedish nobility.
And then, as quickly as he came, Baron Carl Falkenberg was forgotten for a century.
Newfoundland's Mistaken Point named UNESCO World Heritage site
A Newfoundland ecological reserve that holds ancient evidence of some of Earth's oldest creatures is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Volunteer group giving up heritage church in Port au Port West
The Our Lady of Mercy Heritage Church in Port au Port West, which at the time of its completion was the largest wooden church in the province, is now in need of new caretakers after the volunteer group that looks after it announced it's giving up that job.
Nova Scotia
Fortress of Louisbourg celebrates 18th-century life during CultureFête 2016
Visitors to the Fortress of Louisbourg in Cape Breton this weekend will see hands-on demonstrations of 18th century medicine, among other events celebrating everyday life during the fortress's heyday.
"Party is on!' Nova Scotia man pens his own larger-than-life obituary
Paul Culligan knew how to make people laugh, even in his obituary.
History: A look at the Cornwallis River
Recently, for example, Kentville reader John Cochrane asked me if we knew much about the history of the Cornwallis River and if it had Acadian, Planter or Mi’kmaq links.
Black Loyalist Heritage Centre celebrates one year
The Black Loyalist Heritage Centre in Birchtown is turning one year old this weekend, and members of the African Nova Scotian community are ready to celebrate.
Prince Edward Island
People can dig through time at Orwell Corner archaeology project
Islanders and tourists have a unique opportunity to dig through time at a public archaeology project at the Orwell Corner historic village.
Over the next two weeks, anyone is welcome to drop by the excavation of a mid- to late-nineteenth century home that was part of the Scottish settlement at this historic site.
Quebec
Montebello, Que., attracts crowds, political elite with history and scenery
http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/travel/montebello-que-attracts-crowds-political-elite-with-history-and-scenery-387260311.html
Montebello — a small municipality in western Quebec about an hour's drive from the nation's capital — has a long history of attracting crowds that range from families to Canada's political elite.
Ontario
Gaps in census mean Canadians are being left out of history
If more people don’t consent to making census information available after 92 years, two of every five Canadians will effectively fade from memory.
Streetcar No. 696 gets facelift and new lease on life leading up to her 100th birthday
Ottawa streetcar No. 696 will celebrate her 100th birthday next year and, truth be told, she’s broken down and showing her age. She was, after all, born in the reign of Robert Borden, during the First World War, and was, quite literally, ridden hard and put away wet.
Military museum annual open house is July 31
The Canadian Military Heritage Museum will host its annual open house on Sunday, July 31, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Visit the museum at 347 Greenwich St. to discover Canada's military history from the War of 1812 to current events.
Newly discovered version of O Canada offers peek into our history
You might think Canada has always been the “true north, strong and free.”
But, turns out, the song that would become our national anthem has gone through more than a few changes over the years.
Manitoba
Highway renamed in honour of John Bracken
Premier Brian Pallister announced Monday that John Bracken Highway will be the official name of a 195-kilometre section of PTH 10 from the International Peace Garden north to Riding Mountain National Park to honour the longest-serving premier in Manitoba history
Storm the trenches: Camp Hughes comes alive this weekend in Manitoba
More than 80 years after the soldiers moved out, Manitoba's Camp Hughes — home to the only intact First World War trench system in North America — is coming back to life.
Saskatchewan
New Saskatoon bridge getting Indigenous
Once completed, Saskatoon's new bridge in the north will have a name reflecting Aboriginal people's history and contributions.
Alberta
New museum exhibits celebrate city’s rich history
The Flatiron Museum and Interpretive Centre opened its doors last Thursday evening for the grand opening of two new exhibits.
Both “The Origins of Lacombe’s Dutch Community” and “Catalysts for Change: Local Women and the Suffrage Movement” exhibits will be on display for the next year, giving local residents and visitors to the community plenty of opportunity to learn about Lacombe’s ties to what have been proud moments in Canada’s national history.
British Columbia
Our History: Coquitlam's multicultural roots go well into its past
http://www.tricitynews.com/lifestyles/our-history-coquitlam-s-multicultural-roots-go-well-into-its-past-1.2304490#sthash.MgcfW9mf.dpuf
http://www.tricitynews.com/lifestyles/our-history-coquitlam-s-multicultural-roots-go-well-into-its-past-1.2304490#sthash.MgcfW9mf.dpuf
This is the second installment of a series of columns produced by the Coquitlam Heritage Society to coincide with the city of Coquitlam’s 125th birthday this year.
Canadian Stories this Week
Conference 2017
Did you realize that Conference 2017, the conference to be held at Ottawa, Ontario, has a Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/OntarioGenealogicalSocietyConference/posts/1001401453230794?notif_t=notify_me_page¬if_id=1468770302466413 ?
Following the Facebook page is a good way to keep up on the happenings at the OGS conference, and of course, always check out their website at http://ogsottawa.on.ca/conference-2017/. More will be added as tine goes on.
Celebrating 125 years of Ukrainian history in Canada (1891-2016)
The premier of Saskatchewan, Brad Wall, declared 2016 as the anniversary of the first wave of Ukrainian immigrants to Canada
According to the provincial government, more than 13 per cent of Saskatchewan residents can trace part or all of their ancestry to Ukraine.
They have been celebrating in various ways, including the release of a coin the first ever egg-shaped coin - egg-shaped, and brightly coloured, because it's of a Pysanka.
One place to visit is the Ukrainian Museum of Canada which has displays of archives and a library where you can look for information about the immigration. The website is http://www.umc.sk.ca/page/library
By the way, work has started on the Holocaust Memorial near the Canadian War Museum, and it is expected to be finished by 2017.
To find out more about the immigration, go to http://www.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/discover/immigration/history-ethnic-cultural/Pages/ukrainian.aspx
One more thing to note, is the Holocaust Memorial is built in Ottawa near the Museum of War, is making good progress.
To find out more about the National Holocaust Monument, go to http://holocaustmonument.ca/
There is also a history of Jewish people in Canada, go to http://www.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/discover/immigration/history-ethnic-cultural/Pages/jewish.aspx
And that was the week in Canadian news!
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