← All Tags

toronto

6 articles

1856
- Jan 9
  Which of the 182 recipients that were awarded the Victoria Cross for their gallantry during the Indian Mutiny of 1857 is buried in Toronto, Ontario?
  
  Private Denis Dempsey, a Victoria Cross recipient for his extraordinary bravery during the Indian Mutiny of 1857, is buried at Saint Michael's Cemetery in Toronto, Ontario. His fearless actions—carrying a powder bag through a burning village under heavy enemy fire at Lucknow and being the first to enter Jugdispore during intense conflict—earned him the Empire’s highest military honor. Born in County Wicklow, Ireland, Dempsey's military career spanned postings in India, South Africa, Japan, and beyond before he settled in Toronto, where he died in 1886 from congestive pneumonia. The 140th anniversary of his death in 2026 is a poignant reminder of both his legacy and the enduring ties between Canada, Ireland, and the history of British military service.
1857
- Nov 2
  Who was the first Black letter carrier in Canada?
  
  Albert Calvin Whitley Jackson, born into slavery in Delaware in 1857, became the first Black letter carrier in Toronto and all of Canada. His pioneering appointment in 1882 not only challenged racial barriers within the Canadian civil service but also galvanized Toronto's Black community to rally for his fair treatment and training. Despite initial resistance and discrimination from colleagues, it took the intervention of Prime Minister Sir John A. Macdonald—amidst a looming federal election—to secure his rightful post. Today, Jackson’s legacy is recognized across the country, including a commemorative Canada Post stamp issued in 2019 and a plaque at the former site of the Toronto General Post Office.
1899
- Nov 11
  What is a 'Cathedral Cross'?
  
  The St. James' Cathedral Cross, located in the park surrounding the Cathedral Church of St. James in downtown Toronto, stands as a unique war memorial commissioned by the Anglican Cathedral and designed by renowned architect Henry Sproatt. Erected specifically for the 1924 Remembrance Day services, this "preaching cross" commemorates parishioners who died in the First World War, with the names of 48 fallen men inscribed at its base. Unlike the typical Cross of Sacrifice, Sproatt chose to reflect the Cathedral's Gothic Revival style, making the memorial architecturally distinctive. In 2025, the St. James' Cathedral Cross marks its 101st anniversary, continuing to serve as the centerpiece of Toronto’s annual Remembrance observances.
1913
- Dec 29
  Who was the first Canadian-born doctor of African descent and cared for dying President Abraham Lincoln in Washington, D.C.?
  
  Dr. Anderson Ruffin Abbott, born in Toronto in 1837, became the first Canadian-born doctor of African descent and played a key role in both Canadian and American history. Not only did he rise to surgeon-in-chief and serve with distinction during the American Civil War, but he was also present at the bedside of President Abraham Lincoln on the night of his assassination in Washington, D.C. Uniquely, Mary Todd Lincoln later honored him with a plaid shawl worn by the late president, and Abbott’s remarkable career included founding the Freedmen's Hospital and serving as Toronto's first Black coroner. His legacy is still celebrated today, 112 years after his death, as a pioneer of medicine and equality.
1984
- Sep 29
  What military memorial is considered one of the most controversial pieces of Canadian art?
  
  Per Ardua ad Astra, also known as the Canadian Airman's Memorial, stands along University Avenue in Toronto as one of the most controversial pieces of Canadian public art. Created by renowned sculptor Oscar Nemon and unveiled by Queen Elizabeth II on September 29, 1984, the striking modernist monument honors Royal Canadian Air Force members, including the seven airmen awarded the Victoria Cross in the World Wars. Almost immediately after its installation, the memorial became a lightning rod for criticism, both for its abstract design and because it was placed on a plinth against the artist’s wishes. Notably, after vandals spray-painted it with the phrase "Gumby goes to Heaven," the nickname stuck, cementing its unique—and divisive—place in Canadian art history.
2000
- Nov 10
  What monument is dedicated to "Canada's Team of the Century"?
  
  The monument dedicated to "Canada's Team of the Century" stands outside the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto, Ontario, commemorating the legendary 1972 Canada/U.S.S.R. hockey series. This iconic series, known as the Summit Series, captivated a nation and marked a turning point in international ice hockey, as Team Canada clinched a dramatic victory that united the country. Unveiled on November 10, 2000, the monument uniquely features a facsimile of the special 1997 Silver Dollar and lists the names of all 35 players and coaches who made history. Its dedication continues to symbolize national pride, especially as we celebrate both the 53rd anniversary of the series and 25 years since the monument’s unveiling.