canadian confederation

3 articles

Apr7

1868What was Canada’s first state funeral?

Canada’s first state funeral took place in Ottawa following the assassination of the Honourable Thomas D’Arcy McGee on April 7, 1868. His death resonated deeply across the young nation, as McGee had been a central figure in promoting Canadian Confederation, religious freedom, and minority rights. The funeral procession in Montréal drew an astonishing 10,000 marchers and between 60,000 to 100,000 spectators—a display of national unity and public mourning unprecedented in Canadian history. Remarkably, 23 military units participated in the civilian’s funeral, underscoring the profound impact McGee had on shaping Canada’s early identity.

May19

1867Why do Canadians observe Victoria Day?

Canadians observe Victoria Day each May in honor of Queen Victoria, whose birthday on May 24th became a national holiday in 1845. The celebration recognizes her pivotal role in approving the formation of the Dominion of Canada in 1867, shaping the nation’s identity. One of the country's earliest tributes, the Queen Victoria Memorial Fountain in Vancouver’s Stanley Park, was unveiled on her birthday in 1906, funded in part by thousands of schoolchildren who sold black-edged memorial cards after the Queen’s death. Today, Victoria Day uniquely commemorates both Queen Victoria and the reigning sovereign, marking it as a dual celebration of history and monarchy across Canada.

Dec12

1812Who was the first Premier of the Province of Ontario?

John Sandfield Macdonald, born in St. Raphael, Glengarry County, became the first premier of Ontario in 1867, guiding the new province through its formative years after Confederation. His leadership was instrumental in defining the evolving relationship between provincial and federal governments, and his legacy is marked by a reputation for integrity and independence. A unique figure in Canadian history, Macdonald was the only person to serve in all eight parliaments of the united Province of Canada, and Ontario would not have another Roman Catholic premier for 132 years after his term ended in 1871. Today, his impact is commemorated by a statue at Queen's Park in Toronto and a historic gravesite in St. Andrews West, symbols of his enduring significance in Ontario's heritage.