Happy 150th birthday, British Columbia!
On November 19, 1858—150 years ago—Sir James Douglas stood before a small crowd at Fort Langley and declared British Columbia a Crown Colony. As historian Jean Barman points out in The West Beyond the West (University of Toronto Press, 1991), “The weather ensured that the event was distinctly British Columbian.”
According to the Victoria Gazette of November 20, 1858, “[T]he birthday of British Columbia was ushered in by a steady rain which continued perseveringly throughout the whole day, and in a great measure marred the solemnity of the proclamation to the Colony. . . . [T]he flag of Britain was floating, or, to speak the truth, dripped over the principal entrance.”
A re-enactment of the “Reading of the Proclamation of 1858″—but without the downpour, according to the current weather forecast—is scheduled for this Wednesday, November 19, at Fort Langley. Parks Canada has waived its entrance fee to the historic site in honour of the 150th celebration. So come and join the fun: try on a period costume, jot your signature on a souvenir proclamation, and take in a family concert featuring B.C. performers.
Happy 150th birthday, British Columbia—we love you, rain or shine.
November 26th, 2008 at 4:14 am
These are very interesting things that you are writng. I am a big fan of Canada, its history, traditions. I don’t agree with everything you are writing here on this blog, but I will definitely come back here to check what’s new. I try to spend every summer vacation in Canada (this is my fav Canada picture:
http://www.odyssei.com/travel-gallery/94960.html. See you soon!