1908: Dingle Tower Commemorates Representative Government
The year 1908 saw the construction of Dingle Tower, a monument erected to celebrate Nova Scotia's achievement of representative government in 1758. This event marked an important step in the development of self-governance within the province.
1913: "Evangeline" Marks the Beginning of Feature Filmmaking in Canada
The Canadian Bioscope Company in Halifax released "Evangeline" in 1913, marking a historic moment as the first feature film produced in Canada, laying the foundation for the country's film industry.
December 1917: Halifax Explosion
In December 1917, the city of Halifax, Nova Scotia experienced a devastating explosion that resulted in the loss of approximately 2,000 lives. The event, known as the Halifax Explosion, remains one of the largest man-made explosions in history.
1917: "Curse of the Narrows" Recounts the Devastating Halifax Explosion
Laura MacDonald's gripping account of the 1917 Halifax Explosion, "Curse of the Narrows," stands as a testament to the resilience of the city and its people in the face of tragedy.
May 1926: CHNS-FM Makes History as Nova Scotia's First Radio Station
In a pioneering moment for broadcasting, CHNS-FM, Nova Scotia's first radio station, hit the airwaves on May 12, 1926, broadcasting from the Carleton Hotel in Halifax thanks to the efforts of World War I Signal Corps soldier William C. Borrett.
January 1977: Brian Ahern Marries Emmylou Harris in Halifax
Nova Scotian music producer Brian Ahern, known for his work with renowned artists like Anne Murray and Johnny Cash, married singer-songwriter Emmylou Harris at his Halifax home in January 1977.
1988: Establishment of the Nova Scotia Community College
In 1988, the Nova Scotia Community College system was created by merging vocational schools across the province.
1991: Offshore Oil and Gas Emerges
In 1991, the landscape of Nova Scotia's economy started to shift with the emergence of offshore oil and gas as a significant industry. This development brought new opportunities and revenue streams to the province, although production and revenue would eventually decline.
1992: Collapse of Cod Stocks Impacts Jobs
The year 1992 marked a turning point for Nova Scotia's fishing industry. The collapse of cod stocks due to overfishing resulted in the closure of the sector, leading to a significant loss of approximately 20,000 jobs and impacting the province's economy.
1992: Trade Balance Shifts
From 1992 to 2004, Nova Scotia maintained a relatively balanced trade situation, with imports and exports remaining roughly equal. However, this dynamic changed after 2004, leading to a significant increase in the province's trade deficit.
April 1996: Halifax and Region of Queens Municipality Amalgamate
April 1996 marked a significant change in Nova Scotia's municipal landscape with the amalgamation of Halifax and the Region of Queens Municipality into a single regional municipality, streamlining local governance.
1998: Municipal Government Act Passed in Nova Scotia
The passing of the Municipal Government Act in 1998 marked a pivotal moment for local governance in Nova Scotia, setting the stage for greater autonomy and responsibilities for municipalities.
April 1999: Municipal Government Act Takes Effect in Nova Scotia
Nova Scotia's Municipal Government Act (MGA) came into effect in April 1999, granting municipal councils greater autonomy and responsibilities related to the well-being of their communities.
2000: Loyalist Migration Impacts Mi'kmaq People
Around the year 2000, the influx of Loyalist settlers to Nova Scotia led to increased pressure on the land rights of the Mi'kmaq people. The approximately 2000 Mi'kmaq inhabitants were pushed to the margins as Loyalist land grants encroached upon their traditional territories, leading to ongoing tensions.
June 2002: Library and Archives Canada Acquires First Issue of the Halifax Gazette
A momentous acquisition took place in June 2002 when Library and Archives Canada obtained the sole surviving copy of the first issue of the Halifax Gazette, Canada's first newspaper, from the Massachusetts Historical Society in Boston.
April 2004: Invitation to Turks and Caicos Islands
In April 2004, the Nova Scotia legislature passed a resolution to formally invite the government of the Turks and Caicos Islands to consider joining Canada as a part of the province. This move aimed to potentially expand the province's territory and influence.
2004: Trade Deficit Expands
Following a period of relative balance, Nova Scotia's trade deficit began to widen significantly after 2004. This trend indicated a growing disparity between the province's imports and exports, impacting its economic landscape.
2004: Cirkut's Journey from Halifax to International Music Success
In 2004, Grammy-winning songwriter and music producer Cirkut, originally from Halifax, embarked on a career-defining move to Toronto, eventually rising to prominence for his contributions to hits by artists like The Weeknd, Britney Spears, Miley Cyrus, and Katy Perry.
2006: Manufacturing Sector Drives Nova Scotia's Economy
The manufacturing sector in Nova Scotia experienced significant growth in 2006, generating over $2.6 billion in chained GDP, establishing itself as the largest contributor to the province's industrial output.
2006: Nova Scotia Unveils $6.9 Billion Budget with Projected Surplus
Nova Scotia's government presented a $6.9 billion budget for the 2006-2007 fiscal year, projecting a $72 million surplus, highlighting the province's strong financial standing.
2008: Nova Scotia Launches Innovative "Pomegranate" Tourism Campaign
In a creative marketing move, Nova Scotia's 2008 tourism campaign featured a fictitious mobile phone called "Pomegranate," with a dedicated website redirecting visitors to regional tourism information, generating buzz and attracting potential travelers.
2010: Cruise Ship Tourism Boosts Nova Scotia's Economy
The Port of Halifax saw a surge in cruise ship tourism in 2010, welcoming 261,000 passengers, while Sydney received 69,000, contributing significantly to the province's $1.3 billion tourism industry.
2011: Census Reveals Religious Demographics
The 2011 census shed light on the religious composition of Nova Scotia, indicating that Christians constituted the largest group at 78.2% of the population. The data also revealed that 21.18% identified as non-religious, while Muslims comprised 1%. Smaller proportions identified with Jewish, Hindu, and Sikh faiths, representing approximately 0.20%.
2012: Exports and Imports as a Percentage of GDP
By 2012, exports from Nova Scotia constituted 12.1% of the provincial GDP, while imports represented a larger share at 22.6%. These figures highlighted the province's reliance on imports and the ongoing challenge of boosting its export sector.
2013: Halifax Mooseheads Capture the Canadian Hockey League Memorial Cup
The Halifax Mooseheads etched their names in Canadian Hockey League history by clinching the prestigious Memorial Cup in 2013, showcasing the province's passion for hockey.
2014: Nova Scotia Open Debuts on the Web.com Tour
The Nova Scotia Open made its debut on the professional golf scene in 2014 as part of the Web.com Tour, attracting up-and-coming golfers and showcasing the province's scenic courses.
2015: Nova Scotia Open Continues to Shine on the Web.com Tour
The Nova Scotia Open continued to be a prominent event on the Web.com Tour in 2015, solidifying its place in the world of professional golf and drawing attention to the province's growing golf tourism industry.
2015: Government of Nova Scotia Eliminates Film Tax Credits
In 2015, the Nova Scotia government made the controversial decision to eliminate tax credits for film productions in the province, putting the industry at risk, as most other jurisdictions continued to offer such incentives.
2015: The Chronicle Herald Remains Nova Scotia's Leading Newspaper
As of 2015, The Chronicle Herald, established in 1874, continued to hold its position as Nova Scotia's primary daily broadsheet newspaper, boasting a weekday circulation of 91,152 and reaching 93,178 readers on Saturdays.
2016: Per Capita GDP Below National Average
In 2016, Nova Scotia's per capita GDP stood at CA$44,924, significantly lower than the national average of CA$57,574. This data point highlighted economic challenges faced by the province, with GDP growth trailing behind the rest of Canada for at least a decade.
2016: Canadian Census Highlights Ethnic Diversity
The Canadian census of 2016 provided insights into Nova Scotia's diverse ethnic makeup. Notably, Scottish ancestry led with 30%, followed by English at 28.9%. Other prominent groups included Irish, French, German, and First Nations, reflecting the province's rich historical background.
2016: Halifax Hurricanes Crowned National Basketball League of Canada Champions
The Halifax Hurricanes brought basketball glory to Nova Scotia in 2016, securing the National Basketball League of Canada championship title, cementing their place in the province's sporting legacy.
2017: Median Family Income Trails National Average
Data from 2017 showed that the median family income in Nova Scotia was $85,970, which fell short of the national average of $92,990. While the figure in Halifax was higher at $98,870, it still underscored economic disparities within the province.
2018: Gaelic License Plates Introduced
In a bid to promote Gaelic language and cultural initiatives, the Nova Scotia government launched new Gaelic vehicle license plates in 2018. This initiative aimed to raise awareness about the language, which boasts a significant presence in the province with an estimated 2,000 speakers.
2019: HFX Wanderers FC Joins Canadian Premier League
Nova Scotia joined the ranks of professional soccer provinces in 2019 with the entry of HFX Wanderers FC into the Canadian Premier League, expanding opportunities for athletes and fans alike.
August 2020: Record High Overnight Low Temperature
In August 2020, the community of Grand Étang, known for its Les Suêtes winds, experienced an unusually high overnight low temperature of 23.3 °C (73.9 °F). This event was significant due to the area's typical mid-temperate climate.
July 2022: Nova Scotia Embraces Online Gambling with Launch of ALC-Operated Casino
In July 2022, Nova Scotia joined the ranks of provinces regulating online gambling by introducing its own online casino in partnership with the Atlantic Lottery Corporation (ALC), aiming to generate revenue and provide a safe platform for residents.