Canada’s Islands Database: National Historic Events
7 – Canada’s Islands and National Historic Events
Baffin Island (Nunavut)
Economic Life
The whaling industry in the eastern Arctic, Pond Inlet
Native and European whalers capture belugas and boreal whales
Designated in 1976
Cornwallis Island (Nunavut)
Economic Life
The 1954 voyage of the H.M.C.S. Labrador, Resolute
First crossing of the Northwest Passage by an icebreaker
Designated in 1981
Danish Island (Nunavut)
Cultural Life
Fifth Thule Expedition
Danish expedition in 1921-1924; led to the discovery of the Thule culture of 900-1450
Designated in 1977; a plaque was dedicated in 1979
Ellesmere Island ( Nunavut)
Science
First International Polar Year, Fort Conger
Scientific study headed by 11 countries, 1882-1883
Designated in 1982; a plaque was dedicated in 1985
Herschell Island (Yukon)
Political Life
Herschell Island
Intercultural contact on Herschell Island; whaling industry in the western Arctic; Canadian sovereignty in the western Arctic
Designated in 1972; a plaque was dedicated in 1975
Melville Island ( Northwest Territories)
Political Life
Canadian sovereignty in the Arctic archipelago
Events linked to the exercise of Canadian sovereignty
Designated in 1981
ATLANTIC
Prince Edward Island
History
Discovery of Prince Edward Island, Charlottetown
Jacques Cartier lands on the island’s shores in 1534
Designated in 1924; a plaque was dedicated in 1934
Selkirk Settlement, Belfast
800 Scottish settlers establish a settlement in 1803
Designated in 1954; a plaque was dedicated in 1991
Economic Life
Surveying the Island
Surveying of the island and its coast by Captain S. Holland from 1764 to 1766
Designated in 1932; a plaque was dedicated in 1935
Ice Boat Service, Cape Traverse
Winter postal service by ice boats across the Northumberland Strait (1827-1927)
Designated in 1955; a plaque was dedicated in 1970
Pioneer Fox Farming, Alberton
Industry and techniques developed between 1880 and 1910
Designated in 1939; a plaque was dedicated in en 1940
First Underwater Telegraph Cable, Charlottetown
First major underwater telegraph cable in North America (1852)
Designated in 1932; a plaque was dedicated in 1933
Survey of the Gulf and River of St. Lawrence
First precise charts produced by Captain Henry W. Bayfield between 1827 and 1856
Political Life
Land Claims, Charlottetown
Disputes between landowners and tenants that led to strikes and riots between 1767 and 1866
Designated in 1988
Prince Edward Island Becomes a Province, Charlottetown
The islands becomes the 7th province in 1873 after being granted ministerial responsibility in 1851
Designated in 1950; a plaque was dedicated in 1951
Society
Ten Acadian National Conventions (1881-1937), Miscouche
These conventions played a key role in the affirmation of the national identity of the Acadian people
Designated in 1996; a plaque was dedicated in 2000
Lennox Island ( Prince Edward Island)
Economic Life
Malpeque Bay Mi’kmaqs, Lennox Island
Traditional Mi’kmaq hunting, fishing and gathering grounds
Designated in 1996; a plaque was dedicated in 1998
Newfoundland ( Newfoundland and Labrador)
History
Cabot arrival in the New World, Cape Bonavista
Landing on the 24 June 1497; the beginning of the British Empire overseas
Designated in 1958; a plaque was dedicated in 1984
Battle of Signal Hill, St. John’s
The final battle of the Seven Year War in North America in 1762
Designated in 1959; a plaque was dedicated in 1961
Carbonear Island , Carbonear
Defence efforts by British establishments against French attacks in 1697 and 1705
Désignation en 1954 et plaque en 1981
American Military Presence on Newfoundland, Argentia
Commemorates American military bases on Newfoundland during the Seconds World War
Designated in 1988; a plaque was dedicated in 1998
Canadian Military Presence on Newfoundland, Site recommended for a plaque, Bootwood or St. John’s
Canadian military, naval and air presence was an integral part of the war effort
Designated in 2000
Torbay, Torbay
Landing of the British forces in 1762, before the battle of Signal Hill
Designated in 1952; a plaque was dedicated in 1978
Canada’s First Inhabitants
Béothuks, Grand Falls
Native inhabitants on Newfoundland, now disappeared
Designated in 1955; a plaque was dedicated in 1980
Ancient Maritime Cemetaries/Culture: Dorset to Phillips Garden, Port au Choix
Three cemetaries representing ancient maritime culture
Designated in 1982
Cultural Life
St. John’s Regatta, St. John’s
Canada’s oldest sporting event, dates back to 1826
Designated in 1989; a plaque was dedicated in 1992
Economic Life
French Shore, Port au Choix
Fishing and occupation disputes between French and English (1713-1904)
Designated in 1955; a plaque was dedicated in 1978
Fishing Industry on the East Coast of Canada, Bonavista
The most important industry in the economic development of the Atlantic Provinces
Designated in 1975
Installation of the Transatlantic Underwater Cable, recommended site, Heart’s Content
From a technical point, represents a memorable event in the history of world telecommunications in the 19 th century
Designated in 2000
Basque Whaling in Labrador, Red Bay
Basque whaling in Labrador in the 16th century
Designated in 1979
Alcock-Brown Transatlantic Flight, St. John’s
First non-stop transatlantic flight from Newfoundland to Ireland in 1919
Designated in 1950; a plaque was dedicated in 1952
Transatlantic Flights, Harbour Grace
Harbour Grace aviation site; departure site of the first transatlantic (1919-1937)
Designated in 1951; a plaque was dedicated in 1954
Political Life
Responsible Government, St. John’s
Liberal premier P.F. Little forms a government in 1855
Designated in 1954; a plaque was dedicated in 1956
Atlantic Charter, Placentia-Ship Harbour
The basis of the United Nations Charter established in 1941
Designated in 1973/98; a plaque was dedicated in 1976
Newfoundland ’s Entry into Confederation, St. John’s
Newfoundland becomes the tenth Canadian province in 1949, following Joseph R. Smallwood’s campaign
Designated in 1958; a plaque was dedicated in 1979
Society
Newfoundland Outport Nursing and Industrial Association (NONIA), recommended site, Pool’s Cove
Association for nursing care in remote areas; ensures various healthcare services in remote areas
Designated in 1998
Bell Island ( Newfoundland)
Economic Life
Wabana Iron Mines, St. John’s
Bell Island mines rich in iron ore (1895-1966)
Designated in 1988; a plaque was dedicated in 1991
New Brunswick
Campobello Island
Political Life
Roosevelt, Franklin D. and Campobello Island
Roosevelt summer residence on is “beloved” island
Designated in 1945; a plaque was dedicated in 1946
Nova Scotia
Cape Breton Island
Economic Life
Cape Breton-Newfoundland Cable, North Sydney
Essential portion of the first transatlantic cable completed in 1856
Designated in 1927; a plaque was dedicated in 1934
The Beginnings of the Coal Industry, Port Morien
Exploitation begin in 1720 in order to supply Louisbourg
Designated in 2003
Canada first flight, Baddeck
Flight of the «Silver Dart» in 1909; first flight in the British Empire
Designated in 1934
Transatlantic Radiotelegraphy, Glace Bay
First transatlantic wireless communication from West to East ( England) in 1902
Designated in 1938; a plaque was dedicated in 1951
Cultural Life
The Constitution and the Rise of the Canadian Federation of Association Hearth-School, Baddeck
Made an important contribution to the welfare of Canadian children
Designated in 2003
ST. LAWRENCE RIVER (QUEBEC)
Ile-aux-Coudres
History
Ile-aux-Coudres, Saint-Bernard-sur-mer
Named by Jacques Cartier; he celebrated mass on this site in 1535
Designated in 1925; a plaque was dedicated in 1928
Island of Montreal
History
Montreal ’s Surrender
Events surrounding the rendering of Montreal in 1760
Designated in 1952
The Great Peace of 1701, Montreal
Triumph of French diplomacy in North America during the colonial era; the signing of the treaty ended a century of war
Designated in 2000; a plaque was dedicated in 2001
The Lachine Massacre, Lachine
The massacre of 200 settlers by 1500 Iroquois in 1689
Designated in 1923; a plaque was dedicated in 1935
Cultural Life
Royal Montreal Curling Club, Montreal
First structured curling club in North America, 1807
Designated in 1953; a plaque was dedicated in 1954
Economic Life
Accommodation (Ship), Montreal
Canada’s first steamship (Montreal-Quebec) 1809
Designated in 1925; a plaque was dedicated in 1928/1986
Fur Trade, Lachine
Key industry during the greater part of Canada’s history
Designated in 1968
Noorduyn “Norseman” Aviation Company, Dorval
High winged brush plane built in 1935
Designated in 1975; a plaque was dedicated in 1979
The Conception and construction of the Tubular Victoria Bridge, Montreal
An exceptional feat of engineering; the construction of the longest bridge of the time using steam-powered machinery
Designated in 1999
Black Rail Worker and the Efforts to Unionize, Montreal
Unions improved work relations and help to improve individual rights
Designated in 1994; a plaque was dedicated in 1999
First Transcontinental Train, Montreal
Departed from Montreal in 1886, it was the first regular transcontinental rail service
Designated in 1939; a plaque was dedicated in 1939
Lachine Rapids, Lachine
Obstacle which contributed to the economic and industrial development of Montreal Designated in 1982; a plaque was dedicated in 1988
Postal Services, Montreal
First letter mail carrier service between Quebec City and Montreal in 1693; regular service began in 1763
Designated in 1927; a plaque was dedicated in 1938
Voyageurs, Sainte-Anne de Bellevue
The role of “voyageurs” in the exploration of the Canadian northwest
Designated in 1938
Railcars, Montreal
Railcars remaining as a tribute to the Canadian Railway Historical Association
Designated in 1961
Society
Notre-Dame Congregation , Montreal
Founded around 1650 by Marguerite Bourgeoys to oversee children’s education
Designated in 1988
Brothers of the Christian Schools, Montreal
Teaching order which founded commercial and agriculture school in the 1840s
Designated1988
Sisters of Providence, Montreal
Community founded in 1843 by Émilie Gamelin to help the poor and the sick
Designated in 1988; a plaque was dedicated in 1996
Sisters of Sainte-Anne, Lachine
Community founded in 1850 by Marie-Esther Blondin, devoted to teaching and caring for the sick
Designated in 1988; a plaque was dedicated in 1995
Grey Nuns of Montreal
Order founded in 1747 by Marguerite d’Youville to care for the sick
Designated in 1988
Richelieu River ( Quebec)
Ile-aux-Noix
History
Battle of Ile-aux-Noix, Ile-aux-Noix
War of 1812 and the capture of American sloops «Eagle» and «Growler» in 1813
Designated in 1923; a plaque was dedicated in 1927
Royal Marine on Lake Champlain, Ile-aux-Noix
Canadian defence efforts in 1776-1777 and during the War of 1812-14
Designated in 1927; a plaque was dedicated in 1929
PACIFIC
Vancouver Island
History
Creation of the Province of British Columbia, Victoria
Province created in 1871
Designated in 1948; a plaque was dedicated in 1951
Exploration of the Juan de Fuca Strait, Oak Bay
British, American, and Spanish explorations, beginning in 1787
Designated in 1924; a plaque was dedicated in 1925
Migration of Black Pioneers to British Columbia, Saanichton
Influenced the history of British Columbia; this migration had an impact on religious, military and social institutions
Designated in 1997; a plaque was dedicated in 2000
Economic Life
Pacifique Cable, Bamfield
A accomplishment of Sir Sanford Fleming, completed in 1902
Designated in 1927; a plaque was dedicated in 1930
Forestry in British Columbia, Port Alberni
Physical characteristics and density of the Pacific forest led to specialised techniques in forest exploration
Désignation en 1943 et plaque en 1950
Nanaimo, Nanaimo
Site of the first commercial coal mine in British Columbia (1852)
Designated in 1924; a plaque was dedicated in 1927
Old Town Victoria
Commercial district of western Canada’s primary port until 1900
Designated in 1990