🏛️ Historical Events

• 1919 – End of the Winnipeg General Strike
  Canada’s largest labour strike, involving over 30,000 workers, came to a dramatic close on June 26, 1919. It had paralyzed the city and ended in arrests and a police crackdown—”Bloody Saturday”—but it also laid the foundation for future labour reforms

• 1925 – Miners’ Strike in Drumheller, Alberta
  On June 26, 1925, a miners’ strike in Drumheller escalated into violence, reflecting the turbulent labour climate in the region

• 1959 – Official Opening of the St. Lawrence Seaway
  Queen Elizabeth II, Prime Minister John Diefenbaker, and US President Eisenhower inaugurated the St. Lawrence Seaway on June 26, 1959—creating one of North America’s most significant inland shipping routes

• 1976 – CN Tower Opens in Toronto
  The iconic CN Tower officially opened to the public on this day in 1976. At 553 m (1,815 ft), it was the world’s tallest freestanding structure until 2007

🇨🇦 Cultural Observance

• National Canoe Day
  June 26 is celebrated across Canada as National Canoe Day, recognizing the canoe’s deep-rooted place in Canadian culture and identity. The Canadian Canoe Museum often hosts events, including free admission and virtual activities

📊 Quick Summary

🕊️ June 25, 1761 – The Treaty Renewal (Burying the Hatchet Ceremony)

• On June 25, 1761, Mi’kmaq communities from Shediac, Pokemouche, and Miramichi reaffirmed the Peace and Friendship Treaty of 1760 

• Known as the “Burying the Hatchet” ceremony, this marked an official end to nearly a century of conflict and set the foundation for peaceful coexistence and shared rights 

• Crucially, unlike many treaties of the time, these agreements did not involve land surrender — instead, they reaffirmed Mi’kmaq hunting, fishing, and trading rights, later upheld under Canada’s Constitution Act, 1982 

📚 This event remains foundational in legal discussions today, such as the Burnt Church Crisis (1999–2002) where Mi’kmaq rights under these treaties were affirmed by the Supreme Court

⚖️ June 25, 1896 – Death of Sir Samuel Leonard Tilley

• Born in Gagetown on May 8, 1818, Tilley grew from a pharmacist to a legislator (1850), NB Premier (1861–65, 1866–67), and federal minister 

• He played a crucial role at Confederation conferences, helped found the Dominion of Canada, and championed the term “Dominion”—drawing on the biblical phrase “from sea to sea”

• In later years, he served twice as Lieutenant-Governor of New Brunswick, federal Finance Minister, and was knighted in 1879 Saint John  Posthumously, his life story was chronicled in the book The Life and Times of Sir Leonard Tilley (1897), and his birthplace in Gagetown is preserved as a museum 

📣 Legacy & Modern Reflections

• Statue in King’s Square: Created by Louis‑Philippe Hébert around 1910, the monument honors Tilley’s contributions 

• Controversy and Reconciliation: In 2021, during renewed conversation on residential schools, the statue was defaced with paint and “Land Back” — sparking dialogue on colonial celebration versus Indigenous reconciliation

🗓️ On This Day – June 24 in New Brunswick History

1604 – Champlain & de Mons Explore the Saint John River

Samuel de Champlain and Sieur de Mons reached the mouth of the Wolastook (Saint John River) on this date. Since it fell on St John the Baptist Day, they named it the Saint John River—leading to the city of Saint John revolutionarynj.org+3en.wikipedia.org+3www1.gnb.ca+3www1.gnb.ca.

June 24, 1880 – First Acadian Delegation

On this day, Acadian delegates from all three Maritime provinces attended a convention in Quebec City held by the Société St‑Jean‑Baptiste, marking an important moment of cultural solidarity—even as they declined a proposal for broader francophone consolidation www1.gnb.ca.

June 24, 1904 – Champlain Tercentenary Celebrations

Saint John and St Croix Island held grand events including the replica ship Acadie landing and large public receptions to celebrate 300 years since Champlain’s arrival www1.gnb.ca.

June 24, 1939 – First Transatlantic Airmail Flight

Shediac became the departure point for the first-ever transatlantic airmail flight, which landed in Foynes, Ireland www1.gnb.ca+12nomadsinavan.com+1.

June 24, 1857 – Opening of New Legislative Assembly

The 18th New Brunswick Legislature convened for the first time under Governor Manners‑Sutton on this date en.wikipedia.org.

June 24, 2009 – Passing of Roméo LeBlanc

Roméo‑Adrien LeBlanc, a New Brunswick native, former MP, Senator, and the 25th Governor General of Canada, passed away in Grande‑Digue at age 80 tourismnewbrunswick.ca+2en.wikipedia.org+2tourismnewbrunswick.ca+2.

June 24, 2021 – Recognition of Black History

A headstone was unveiled in Saint John’s cemetery for Abraham Beverley Walker, Canada’s first Canadian‑born Black lawyer—an initiative by the New Brunswick Black History Society ca.news.yahoo.com+8en.wikipedia.org+8www1.gnb.ca+8.

📌 Reflection & Observance

June 24 holds deep historical significance in New Brunswick—from early European exploration and Acadian identity to provincial governance, aviation milestones, and contemporary efforts to honor cultural history and reconciliation.

June 22, 1822

The Provincial Marine Hospital opens in Saint John.
This early healthcare institution was established to treat sick and injured mariners arriving via the bustling port in Saint John cityofnewbrunswick.org+3www1.gnb.ca+3cityofnewbrunswick.org

🚢 June 22, 1847

Typhus quarantine on Middle Island near Chatham.
During a severe typhus outbreak, The Miramichi Gleaner reported about 350 people quarantined on Middle Island, highlighting the public health challenges faced by the province in that era www1.gnb.ca+1www2.gnb.ca+1.

🔥 June 20–22, 1877

The Great Fire of Saint John rages through the city.
Burning for roughly 40 hours, this catastrophic blaze destroyed two-fifths of Saint John, resulted in 18–19 fatalities, and left approximately 13,000 residents homeless en.wikipedia.org. That final day, June 22, marked the tail end of this tragic event.

🏛️ June 22, 2021

Opening of New Brunswick’s first Black History Heritage Room in Saint John.
In a provincial milestone, the New Brunswick Black History Society inaugurated the first dedicated heritage room to recognize and celebrate Black history, especially stories linked to the Underground Railroad and notable figures. This took place in Brunswick Square, Saint John