This Week in Saint John History
May 23–May 30 | Saint John, New Brunswick
May 23 – Saint John grows as a Loyalist city
Following the major Loyalist arrivals of spring 1783, the settlements that became Saint John expanded quickly. The harbour became crowded with ships and temporary shelters as thousands of new residents arrived. Within only a few years, the city became an important Atlantic trade centre.
May 24 – Empire Day memories
For many decades, schoolchildren in Saint John and across Canada marked Empire Day in late May (often near Queen Victoria’s birthday). Parades, patriotic songs, and community gatherings were once common parts of local life. May 25 – Saint John’s harbour begins another shipping season
By the late 1800s, spring meant Saint John’s harbour was becoming busy again after winter conditions eased. Steamships, cargo vessels, and shipbuilding activity helped define the city’s economy and identity. May 26 – Remembering early shipbuilding
Saint John became one of the great shipbuilding centres in British North America. During the 1800s, local shipyards produced vessels known around the world for speed and craftsmanship. May 27 – Forts and early settlements
Long before Saint John became a city, French settlements and fortifications stood near the mouth of the river. Forts associated with early Acadian history helped establish the area’s strategic importance. May 28 – The river that gave Saint John its name
French explorer Samuel de Champlain named the river after St. John the Baptist in 1604 when he explored the area. The city later inherited the same name.
May 29 – Looking ahead to summer in Uptown Saint John
Historically, late May signaled preparations for summer markets, harbour trade, and tourism. Saint John’s role as a port city meant warmer months brought increased activity and visitors.
May 30 – A city shaped by resilience
Saint John repeatedly rebuilt and reinvented itself through fires, economic shifts, and changing industries. Events such as the Great Fire of Saint John left lasting marks but also helped shape the Uptown architecture people recognize today.