MSVU History Department
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MSVU History Department
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Key facts 
Born: January 11, 1815, Glasgow, Scotland.
Died: June 6, 1891, Ottawa (ON).
Prime minister: 1867–1873 and 1878–1891.
Political party: Liberal-Conservative (predecessor of the Conservative Party of Canada).
Major achievement: Confederation of Canada and the British North America Act, 1867.
January 12, 2026 at 10:02 PM
Just a reminder that there is still time to register for Winter courses. Copy and paste this link into your browser to access the Winter 2026 course catalogue: https://colssprod.msvu.ca/Student/Courses/Search?subjects=HIST
#msvu_halifax #msvuhalifax #history #msvuhistory #msvuhistorysociety
January 4, 2026 at 2:02 PM
Boxing Day began with British practices of distributing alms and service gifts, a tradition Canada adopted—and quietly reshaped—into something far removed from its charitable origins.
Sources: Oxford Companion; McCulloch.
#BoxingDay #CanadianTraditions
December 26, 2025 at 2:02 PM
The Department of History wishes everyone a warm and joyful holiday season. We can't wait to see you all again in 2026!
#msvu_halifax #ChristmasHistory #NSHeritage
December 25, 2025 at 2:01 PM
Seasonal foods in Nova Scotia draw on Acadian, regional, and coastal practices, illustrating long-standing patterns in winter foodways. Dr. Roberts teaches History of Food, exploring these traditions in broader context.
Sources: Le Blanc; Can. Encyclopedia.
#FoodHistory #AcadianCulture
December 20, 2025 at 2:01 PM
Nova Scotia’s annual tree for Boston, begun in 1917, reflects a continuing relationship shaped by relief efforts and intercity ties.
Sources: NS Govt; Kitz. #BostonTree #NSHistory
December 18, 2025 at 2:01 PM
Victorian-era holiday imagery in Nova Scotia reflected broader 19th-century domestic traditions, emphasizing seasonal symbolism, sentimental motifs, and decorative print culture shared across the British world.
Sources: CMH; Flanders.
#VictorianEra #HolidayTraditions
December 15, 2025 at 2:01 PM
Decorated boats in Atlantic Canadian communities show how maritime labour and seasonal customs intersected in coastal culture. Sources: Maritime Museum; Sager.
#MaritimeHistory #AtlanticCanada
December 12, 2025 at 2:01 PM
The 1917 Halifax Explosion altered the city’s December through large-scale reconstruction, new welfare networks, and shifts in community routines. These changes marked how Haligonians approached the winter season that followed.
Sources: Kitz; NS Archives.
#HalifaxHistory #HalifaxExplosion
December 10, 2025 at 2:02 PM
St. Nicholas Day in Atlantic Canada reflects European settler influences in the Maritimes. Traditions from Dutch, German, and other communities shaped early winter customs in the region. #HolidayHistory #Folklore
Sources: Canadian Museum of History & Crummey, European Folklore in Canada
December 6, 2025 at 10:01 PM
Grounded in generations of land-based knowledge, Mi’kmaq winter traditions centered storytelling, craftsmanship, and practices vital to community survival. As noted by Mi’kmaw Kina’matnewey and in Whitehead’s The Old Man Told Us, these traditions continue today. #MiKmaqHistory #IndigenousHeritage
December 4, 2025 at 2:02 PM
Established by the UN in 1992, the International Day of Persons with Disabilities is observed globally, its implementation varied across regions. MSVU's HIST 3224, History of Disability in Canada, explores this and other disability history topics. #msvu_halifax #DisabilityHistor
source openschool bc
December 3, 2025 at 2:03 PM
As December begins in Nova Scotia, early winter brought community gatherings, coastal preparations, and Mi’kmaq knowledge that guided seasonal rhythms. These traditions shaped daily life in the province.
Sources: Beck; NS Archives./Image from Halifax.ca Gottingen St
#NSHistory #CanadianHistory
December 2, 2025 at 10:01 PM
November 26, 2025 at 2:02 PM
Nov 22 marks the Treaty of 1752 between the Mi’kmaq and the British—now seen as a Mi’kmaq–Canada agreement.

#MiKmaqHistory #TreatyOf1752 #OnThisDay #CanadaHistory
November 25, 2025 at 2:02 PM
November 20 marked 36 years of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. Canada was an early supporter, helping shape this landmark commitment to children’s rights worldwide.

#CanadaHistory #HumanRightsHistory #OnThisDay
November 24, 2025 at 10:01 PM
Discover the MSVU History Department at Open Campus Day! Meet faculty, explore projects, and see how studying History at Mount can shape your future. We will be waiting for you!

#MSVUOpenCampusDay #MountSaintVincentUniversity #MSVUFutureStudents #HalifaxNovaScotia #StudyInNovaScotia
November 19, 2025 at 2:02 PM
On Nov 18, 1929, a 7.2 Grand Banks earthquake triggered a submarine landslide and a tsunami up to 13 m high, devastating Newfoundland’s Burin Peninsula and taking 28 lives (updated). 
Sources: earthquakescanada.nrcan.gc.ca; heritage.nf.ca
#EnvironmentalHistory #AtlanticCanada
November 18, 2025 at 2:03 PM
📚 Love stories, people & the forces shaping our world?
Study History at MSVU!
Explore local & global pasts, build critical skills, and join a welcoming community of curious minds.
🎓 Learn more & apply on our link bio!

#MSVUHistory #StudyHistory
November 16, 2025 at 2:01 PM
In honour of Viola Desmond Day (November 8th), who stood against racial segregation, in Nova Scotia’s history.
#violadesmondday #msvuhistory #historymsvu
November 12, 2025 at 2:02 PM
Since 1921, Canadians have sombrely reflected every November 11th on the horrors of war and pledged “never again” in honour of those veterans who’ve paid the ultimate sacrifice.
Carrying that legacy of “never again,” let this poem be shared in honour of this day.
#RemembranceDay #CanadaRemembers
November 11, 2025 at 2:02 PM
On November 7, 1885, Donald Smith, a CPR director, drove the ceremonial last spike into the railway, British Columbia. This act symbolized the completion of the transcontinental line.
Source: www.pc.gc.ca
#msvuhistory #msvu_halifax #britishcolumbia
November 10, 2025 at 2:02 PM
November 8 — Indigenous Veterans Day

Honouring the Indigenous Veterans across Canada.

#IndigenousVeteransDay #MSVUHistory #CanadianHistory
November 8, 2025 at 2:01 PM
Veterans’ Week is here. This week includes Indigenous Veterans Day (Nov 8) and Remembrance Day (Nov 11).

Source: Government of Canada, “This Veterans’ Week, join the conversation and show your remembrance,” November 2025.

#VeteransWeek #RemembranceDay #IndigenousVeteransDay #MSVUHistory
November 5, 2025 at 10:01 PM
Happy Halloween from the History Department!

If you want to learn more about real life witches, check out HIST 3314, Witches, Which-Hunters, and Scholars in Early Europe! Offered in Winter 2026

#MSVUHistory #HistoryMSVU #HappyHalloween
October 31, 2025 at 1:03 PM