this week in New Brunswick history” centered on April 25 (and the surrounding days). These are real historical events recorded for the province:

📅 April 25 in New Brunswick History

• 1785 – Governor Thomas Carleton proposes making St. Ann’s Point (now Fredericton) the future capital of New Brunswick.

1845 – Queen Victoria officially declares Fredericton a city—even though it only had about 4,000 people at the time.

👉 These two events are closely connected: they reflect how Fredericton grew from a planned capital site into an official city.

🗓️ Around the Same Week (April 24–30)

April 24

• 1920 – Creation of the New Brunswick Electric Power Commission.
• 1920 – Incorporation of the Association of Professional Engineers of New Brunswick.

April 26

• 1850 – Founding of an early provincial agricultural and commerce society.

1909 – A Saint John court rules that electricity counts as a commodity in a theft case—an early legal precedent.

April 27

• 1884 – Birth of Ivan C. Rand, who later created the famous “Rand Formula” for unions.

1950 – Introduction of a controversial 4% provincial sales tax by Premier John B. McNair.

April 28

• 1783 – William Davidson elected to represent the region (then part of Nova Scotia).

1939 – A Soviet aircraft crash-lands on Miscou Island during a transatlantic flight attempt.

April 29

• 1916 – New Brunswick adopts Daylight Saving Time.

1952 – Incorporation of the city of Edmundston.

April 30

• 1765 – Establishment of Sunbury County, covering much of what is now New Brunswick.

🧭 Why April 25 matters

April 25 is a key date because it ties directly to the rise of Fredericton as the province’s political center—starting with the 1785 plan and leading to its official city status in 1845.

New Brunswick History Timeline (Apr 24–30)

Here’s a “This Week in New Brunswick History” (April 19–26) style overview. There aren’t many well-documented events tied to each exact day, but we can still highlight notable historical moments and people connected to this week in the province.

📅 April 19–26 in New Brunswick history

⚓ Early colonial & settlement era (1600s–1800s)

• Spring season (like late April) was historically when European exploration and settlement activity resumed after winter along the Bay of Fundy and the Wolastoq (Saint John River).
• The region that became New Brunswick was heavily shaped by Acadian settlement, British control after 1758, and Loyalist arrivals after the American Revolution.

By the late 1700s, the colony was being organized into counties and governed by its own legislature (formed in 1786).

👉 While no single famous April 19–26 event dominates, this time of year marked the start of shipping, trade, and travel season, which was critical to the province’s development.

🧑‍🌾 April 26 – Notable birth

• George McLeod (born April 26, 1836)
  • Born in Richibucto
  • Became a lumber merchant, shipbuilder, and later a Member of Parliament
  • Represents the importance of the timber and shipbuilding industries in 19th-century New Brunswick

🌲 1800s–early 1900s themes for this week

Even when exact dates aren’t recorded, late April in New Brunswick history often involved:

• River drives & logging season beginning as ice melted
• Increased activity in shipbuilding yards, especially in Saint John
• Growth of industries like banking and trade, following institutions such as the Bank of New Brunswick (founded 1820)

🌎 Broader provincial context

• New Brunswick became one of the original provinces of Canada in 1867, shaping its political and economic direction afterward.

• Seasonal cycles (like spring) played a major role in daily life—affecting farming, transportation, and communication across the province.

🧭 Quick takeaway

• This week (April 19–26) doesn’t feature many famous single-day events, but it reflects:
  • The start of spring economic activity
  • The importance of natural resources and transportation
  • Key historical figures like George McLeod (April 26)

Here’s a “This Week in New Brunswick History” (April 12–19) summary with notable events that happened on each day:

📅 April 12

• 1751 – French governor orders Acadians to swear loyalty to France.
• 1855 – New Brunswick becomes the first in British North America to use the secret ballot in elections.
• 1867 – Funding approved for the Intercolonial Railway, linking the Maritimes to central Canada.

📅 April 13

• 1844 – Victoria County is created.
• 1859 – King’s College becomes the University of New Brunswick, open to all religions.
• 1866 – Fenian raiders land near St. Stephen but are driven off.

📅 April 14

• 1866 – Fenian invasion at Indian Island (near Campobello), later stopped by U.S. forces.
• 1873 – Madawaska County is established.
• 1912 – The Titanic strikes an iceberg off Newfoundland (closely tied to regional history).

📅 April 15

• 1861 – Famous poet Bliss Carman is born in Fredericton.
• 1890 – Pierre-Amand Landry becomes the first Acadian judge.
• 1919 – Women gain the right to vote in New Brunswick.

📅 April 16

• 1764 – First permanent English settlers arrive at Portland Point (now Saint John).
• 1891 – The province abolishes its Legislative Council (upper house).
• 1916 – Major civil rights protest in Saint John against a racist film.

📅 April 17

• 1851 – The famous ship Marco Polo is launched in Saint John (fastest ship of its time).
• 1889 – The cities of Saint John and Portland merge.

📅 April 18

• 1866 – Political shift pushes New Brunswick closer to joining Canadian Confederation.

📅 April 19

• 1750 – Acadians request permission to leave the region (refused).
• 1931 – Statue of Evangeline unveiled in Louisiana, commemorating Acadian deportation.

✅ Overall themes this week:

• Early settlement and Acadian history
• Conflicts like the Fenian raids
• Growth of democracy (secret ballot, women voting)
• Major cultural milestones (UNB, poetry, shipbuilding)

1883 – The first speed skating competition in New Brunswick was held in Saint John.

📜 April 6

• 1888 – The New Brunswick Telephone Company was incorporated, helping expand telephone service across the province.

1993 – Premier Frank McKenna declared April 6 as Tartan Day in New Brunswick to celebrate Scottish heritage.

📜 April 7

• 1691 – Joseph Robineau de Villebon became Commandant of Acadia and later built a fort at the Nashwaak–Saint John River junction.

1866 – A major political clash in Fredericton over Confederation forced Premier Albert J. Smith to resign.

📜 April 8

• 1874 – The Caraquet Railway Company was created to connect northeastern communities to the Intercolonial Railway.

📜 April 9

• 1825 – The Saint John Agricultural and Emigrant Society was founded.

1931 – Richard Hatfield, one of New Brunswick’s longest-serving premiers, was born in Woodstock.

📜 April 10

• 1866 – The Fenian Raids threat near Campobello increased fears of invasion and pushed support for Confederation.

1892 – Milton Fowler Gregg, a Victoria Cross recipient and later diplomat, was born.

📜 April 11

• 1816 – The first river steamboat in New Brunswick, the “General Smyth,” was launched in Saint John.

1969 – New Brunswick passed a law making it the only officially bilingual province in Canada.

✅ Quick takeaway:
This week highlights major “firsts” (first museum, first steamboat), important political moments tied to Confederation, and influential leaders like Richard Hatfield—all shaping modern New Brunswick